A Birmingham woman has described the terrifying moment a man wielding a baseball bat and a knife targeted diners outside a restaurant in Balsall Heath. Akilah Bennett, 31, was dining with her family at Al-Qamar restaurant on Vincent Street on Tuesday night (July 14) when the incident unfolded.
Attack Unfolds After Meal
After paying for their meal, the family were at the door when a pregnant woman 'ran into their arms, screaming she had been attacked.' Moments later, a man arrived outside Al-Qamar with a baseball bat. Initially thinking it was a domestic dispute, Bennett soon realised the woman did not know the man.
Speaking to BirminghamLive, Bennett said: "He was waving the baseball bat around and trying to hit all of us, my uncle was brave and stood in the middle to protect the woman. The owner recognised his face and believed he was local to Balsall Heath. The woman said she was walking home and he hit her in the elbow with a baseball bat. No one knew what he was saying."
Suspect Returns with Knife
Bennett added: "He was aiming for this woman but I don't think he even knew who she was. My uncle, the restaurant owner and others managed to chase him away, but he came back with a knife. Me and my cousin rounded everyone in and we shut the door to the restaurant. I was just standing by the door and I didn't know what would happen if he came in, we just wanted to keep everyone safe."
She praised the restaurant owner's quick actions: "To be honest, it was nice to know the owner of the restaurant was there and protecting people. He seemed quite aggravated by other members of the public but ended up going away. The police and ambulance arrived quite quickly, but at the time it felt like forever."
Victim Hospitalised
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We were called at 9.55pm on Tuesday (14 Jul) to Vincent Street, Sparkbrook after a woman was assaulted. The woman sustained a serious arm injury and was taken to hospital. Members of the public who attempted to intervene were also threatened with a knife. We are reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses."
Bennett concluded: "It's a shame we had to hide in the restaurant because it was a lovely meal and the staff were amazing at how they dealt with the incident." Anyone with information, particularly any footage, is asked to call 101 quoting log 6300 of 14 July.
