Two gunmen who fired at each other from close range outside a Birmingham nightclub have been jailed for 18 years each. Aaron Nubie, 46, from Erdington, and Kimani Durrell-Smith, 27, from Stockland Green, were sentenced following a hearing last week at Birmingham Crown Court. They had previously been found guilty of wounding with intent after a trial last October and had admitted possession of a firearm.
Several shots were fired outside FJ Lounge on Bickford Road, Aston, on March 23 last year. Innocent jerk chicken seller Garth Pantry was shot in the crossfire, though his injuries were not life-changing, according to West Midlands Police.
Detective Condemns 'Reckless and Selfish' Actions
Detective Sergeant Phil Hinton, from West Midlands Police's Major Crime Team, condemned the actions of both men. He said: “Both men made a decision to arm themselves, and then to fire at each other at close range – which could have cost them their lives, and the lives of others.
“The fact that a member of the public was injured because of their dispute shows how selfish and reckless their actions were. We don’t tolerate guns on the streets of the West Midlands, and we are working hard to identify and bring to justice those involved in gun crime. Thanks to a thorough investigation from our committed team, Nubie and Durrell-Smith are rightly now behind bars.”
Investigation and Arrests
Around half an hour after the incident, Nubie arrived at hospital with a gunshot wound, initially telling officers he could not remember how it happened. He was arrested. Durrell-Smith attempted to evade police but was later arrested following a firearms warrant at an address in West Bromwich. He had also been injured but would not tell officers or healthcare professionals how it happened.
A comprehensive review of CCTV from the area clearly showed both men firing guns outside the venue. Investigators later found the shooting was linked to a disagreement inside the club earlier in the evening. Inquiries suggested Nubie had left but later returned armed with a gun, which he fired at Durrell-Smith as the latter left the venue. Durrell-Smith, who was already armed, then fired several shots back at Nubie.
Aftermath and Sentencing
Following the shooting, a closure order was granted for FJ Lounge. Both men were charged and, after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, were found guilty last October of wounding with intent. They were sentenced to 18 years each in prison.
