Dudley murder victim died on his birthday after ‘cowardly’ shooting outside his home
Tributes have been paid to a father-of-four who was shot outside his Dudley home and died in hospital on his birthday.
Mohammed Haroon Zeb, 39, who worked as a manager for a taxi firm and was known as Haroon, was taken to hospital in a critical condition after being shot in Queens Cross just after 12.35am on Sunday, as he arrived home from work.
He later died from the injuries he sustained in the shooting. West Midlands Police officers have now launched a murder investigation, but so far no suspects have been arrested.
Tributes have been left on social media to Haroon and his family are being supported by specialist officers.
In a tribute released by police today, his family said: "Haroon a beautiful son, brother, father, a real icon to this world.
“He eased the burdens of everyone he knew and his beautiful smile lit up every room he walked in.
“Today we mourn the loss of our hero who will be dearly missed. Forever in our hearts rest peacefully Haroon.
"We will love and miss you forever and your memories will be engraved in our hearts always. RIP Haroon."
His cousin, Shaz Saleem, said: "With unbelievable sadness I'm having to inform you of the passing away of my cousin Haroon Zeb son of chairman Chaudary Mohammad Aurangzeb (chairman Dudley central Mosque)
"This man was loved by all, once you met him you never forgot him, he was guaranteed to make you smile, but today it's not just my family that mourns, thousands feel our pain.
"May Allah Kareem forgive his sins and grant him the highest ranking in Jannah."
Mr Saleem, chairman of the Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association, said the victim was about to open his front door to go inside when he was subjected to a “cowardly” attack.
Mr Saleem said of Mr Zeb: “He was a beautiful soul, people loved him. It didn’t matter how you felt… that man could make you laugh out of nothing.
“He was just such a character, such a wonderful guy. It’s so sad that everyone he knew is crying.”
Appealing for anyone with information about the murder to contact detectives working on the inquiry, Mr Saleem added: “The police are working incredibly hard but we believe in them and we know they will bring these people to justice.
“It was a cowardly act. If anyone has any information, please do come forward. This shouldn’t be happening in our town – it’s absolutely scary and ridiculous that we have got gun crime in Dudley.”
A notice on the Facebook page of Jamia Anwar-ul-Quran Education Centre, Lye, Stourbridge, expressed "deepest condolences" to the family of Haroon.
While the Netherton Islamic Trust also announced the news on Facebook, adding: "NIT-Management & Dudley Community extend their deepest condolences to the family."
The stretch of Queens Cross around where the shooting happened remained cordoned off on Monday morning as police search teams continued to scour the area.
Detectives are examining CCTV and carrying out other enquiries in an attempt to establish who was behind the killings, while police patrols have also been stepped up in the areas.
West Midlands Police is urging anyone who has not already spoken to officers to contact them – including a man who flagged down local officers in the area, just after Haroon was shot.
Anyone who has any dash-cam footage captured in the area is also being urged to call police.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro, from the force's homicide team, said: "Haroon’s death is simply tragic, my thoughts are with his family and friends and this very sad time.
"Our investigation is continuing at pace as we try and understand what happened.
"I would urge anyone with information to get in touch as soon as possible."
A post-mortem is due to take place on Friday.
Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101, quoting reference number 20DY/28354Z/21.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
