This is the frightening moment Birmingham drug dealers involved in a County Lines turf war exchanged gunshots, striking a car in a residential street with innocent people inside.
The Shooting Incident
Deago Martin ran the 'Captain Line' supplying drugs from the city into Redditch for some time. Keelan Brookes was a member of the 'Frank Line', run by Connor Donaldson from Redditch, which sourced drugs from Birmingham and attempted to encroach on the rival's territory. Brookes acted as a runner, used to transport and sell drugs. Martin had arranged a meeting with Brookes, through a third party, to confront him.
The pair met in Ombersley Close in Redditch on Tuesday, March 26, shortly after 1pm. Video footage shows the two of them near a parked car with a man and a woman inside. Martin confronts Brookes and brandishes a gun, demanding money. Brookes then runs to take cover behind a car. He then takes out his own weapon and the two exchange gunshots, with two people in the car.
Brookes fired once, hitting the front of the vehicle. Martin shot twice, and one of the bullets went into the car, through the boot, and came close to a child seat, which was thankfully not occupied. The shootout occurred in the middle of the day, during the Easter school holidays. Officers were alerted at 1.15pm. Police said it was 'miraculous that the unimaginable did not happen'.
Arrests and Sentencing
Brookes fled through nearby gardens, with footage showing him clambering over a fence, reaching Pedmore Close. His associate arranged a taxi to get him out of the area and back to Birmingham to meet Donaldson. He is then caught on camera 'partying' hours later that day. Martin got rid of his clothes and left the scene, first to Batchley in Redditch and then to Birmingham.
Footage then shows armed police arresting the men. Deago Martin was found in a car with a revolver, which was a different gun from the one used in the shooting. During the arrest, police shout: 'Keep your hands there, keep your hands there. Out, out. Down!' He is then told he is under arrest for possession of a firearm. Separate footage shows Brookes being arrested by armed officers in darkness. A police gun is seen pointing through a door as Brookes is ordered to 'come to the door now'. He is told: 'Walk backwards towards me now.'
Deago Martin, 22, of Staffordshire Pool Close in Handsworth, was found guilty of attempting to cause GBH with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. He was jailed for 16 years for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and a further nine years to run concurrently for the attempted GBH following a hearing at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday (April 29). Police also said the judge at Worcester Crown Court said Martin was a 'dangerous offender' and imposed an extended life sentence. He is expected to serve a minimum of 10 years and six months.
Brookes, 21, from Birmingham, was found guilty of attempting to cause GBH with intent, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cannabis. He was jailed for 14 years. Kaine Simmonds, 26, of Club View in Kings Norton, was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of heroin, concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and assisting an offender. He was jailed for seven years and eight months.
In addition, three people were previously sentenced in connection with the shooting and County Lines drug dealing. Connor Donaldson, 27, of Hatton Close, Redditch, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for three counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine), being concerned in the supply of class B drugs (cannabis) and assisting an offender. Rhiannan James, 22, of Slimbridge Close, Redditch, was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years, for being concerned in the supply of cannabis and assisting an offender. Courtney Lloyd, 27, of Northleach Close, Redditch, was sentenced to 20 months, suspended for two years, for assisting an offender.
Police Comment
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Arrowsmith of West Mercia Police said: 'It is important to remember the complete disregard Martin and Brookes showed when they discharged firearms without any thought for the potential danger of their actions and the devastation it could have caused. I would like to commend the team who worked tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice and their work has exposed two drug lines that supplied drugs into Redditch. We know that organised gangs, like the Captain and Frank lines, target and exploit vulnerable people within our communities and the sentencing today will help towards protecting those at risk.'
