A drug-dealing father who was shot by a gunman attempting to steal his narcotics has surprisingly claimed he has no idea why he was targeted. Mohammed Jamil was sitting in his car in Wolverhampton when Ilir Hoxha drew a self-loading pistol and fired at him. Court proceedings revealed that Jamil is a drug dealer currently serving a six-year prison sentence.
The Incident and Court Details
Hoxha, who 'habitually robbed people of their drugs,' aimed to take over Jamil's supply and business. As Hoxha and his accomplice Ethan Edwards prepared to face court for the shooting, Jamil insisted he was unaware of why he was attacked. He boldly stated, 'it was not my fault what happened, it was out of my control,' and even questioned the thugs, 'why did you still shoot me?'
Hoxha, 23, of no fixed abode, and Edwards, 22, of Upper Villiers Street, Wolverhampton, admitted to wounding with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Victim Impact Statement
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Jamil said: 'Since the incident happened, I still have flashbacks to that day. I constantly think back to that incident - what if I took a different route? What if I did not go out that day? I can't sleep because I'm up all night thinking about what happened. Every time I get into a car, I'm looking over my shoulder.'
Jamil, in his 30s, stated he 'constantly updates' his family whenever he goes out. Even when around family, he feels 'lonely.' The court heard that Jamil sustained wounds to his left thigh and near his genitals, with a bullet fragment lodged near his genitals and bottom. He recalled waking up in hospital unable to feel his feet, leaving him 'terrified' he would not walk again. His recovery has been a 'long and hard journey.'
Jamil experiences pain in his groin area, especially when praying or bending. He took 'two months off work' because he could 'barely move,' adding, 'At times, my family were my carers.' He described feeling 'angry' with himself and said, 'I feel I should have been more cautious. It was not my fault what happened, it was out of my control. I know I should not blame myself but sometimes I still do.'
Jamil is worried about encountering the defendants, claiming, 'I do not know why the suspects shot me.' He is 'terrified' they will find him and avoids the scene of the shooting. He recalled pleading with Hoxha that he had children, adding, 'Why did you still shoot me?' He boldly said he feels 'sorry' for the defendants and hopes they can reflect on their actions.
Sentencing
Hoxha was jailed for 12 years and 11 months, while Edwards was sentenced to 11 years and two months on Friday, May 1. The shooting occurred near Birchwood Road just after 6:20 PM on December 18, 2024. Two days later, police searched Jamil's car and found 112 grams of heroin worth up to £3,500. Prosecutor Earl Pinnock noted that no one claimed ownership of the drugs. Pinnock also told the court that Jamil has since been jailed for class A drug offenses related to evidence from this case.
Judge Simon Ward asked, 'Are you saying that at the time he was shot, Mr. Jamil was a drug dealer?' Pinnock replied, 'Yes.' Sentencing, Judge Ward said: 'This was a planned attack. You believed Mr. Jamil was dealing drugs and the evidence demonstrates that you were right, he was. I'm told that he has since been convicted of dealing drugs and is serving a six-year sentence for doing it. The evidence demonstrates that you, Hoxha, wanted to rob in order, effectively, to take over his business so that it would not interfere with yours.'
