Four men have been sentenced for conspiracy to shoot at residences in Birmingham. The plot, orchestrated via SnapChat, targeted homes in Alum Rock but was thwarted when one of the conspirators was killed.
Details of the Conspiracy
On October 4, 2024, Lesane Anishere fired a gun at a house on a road in Alum Rock. The shooting occurred in broad daylight while homeowners, including children, were inside and small children played in the street outside.
On October 18, Faieq Ghazanfar organized Anishere, Ali Riyan, Abdulaziz Jama, and Asfeya Gardi to shoot at an address in Poppy Grove, Alum Rock. He sent them a picture of the target via SnapChat and instructed them to fire eight times and record the act.
En route to carry out the shooting, they were themselves shot at, resulting in the death of Ali Riyan.
Sentences Handed Down
All four men were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for their roles in the conspiracy.
- Faieq Ghazanfar, 21, of Melfort Grove, Kings Heath, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and was also sentenced for a separate firearms supply matter. He received 11 years and 10 months on June 17.
- Lesane Anishere, 19, of Porchester Drive, Newtown, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and jailed for 14 years on June 16.
- Abdulaziz Jama, 22, of Hampton Road, Aston, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial and was jailed for five years and eight months on June 16.
- Asfeya Gardi, 20, of Bath Road, Walsall, also pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial and was jailed for five years and eight months on June 16.
In a separate murder case, Seraaj Ayub was convicted of murdering Ali Riyan and awaits sentencing.
Police Statement
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Poole, from West Midlands Police's Major Crime Unit, said: "This was a lengthy and complicated investigation, which found that the quartet worked together in their individual roles to possess firearms with the intention to cause harm. However, on the night, their plan went wrong, when their fifth member was instead fatally killed. They were dangerous, carrying firearms and following great work from our detectives, we were able to piece together exactly what happened on that night and the events leading up to. The group will now be spending significant time behind bars."
