Shooting inside Smethwick shop leaves two men injured
Two men have been injured after a shooting inside a shop.
The shots were fired in a shop at Bertram Road, Smethwick, at around midday on Thursday.
West Midlands Police said two men in their 40s were injured but did not need hospital treatment.
In a statement the force said: "We’re doing everything we can to find the people responsible.
"Officers remain at the scene this evening as a forensic examination and other enquiries continue."
West Midlands Ambulance Service also attended. A spokesman said: "We were called to a police incident on Bertram Road, Smethwick, at 12.16pm. An ambulance, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were sent to the scene where, on arrival, crews found two patients, both men.
"The first was treated for minor injuries by ambulance crews. Staff treated the second man for minor injuries, but he did not wish to go to hospital and was discharged at the scene."
Anyone with information can contact West Midlands Police on the force's website quoting crime number 20/80288/23, or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Outside the shop, a man, who asked not to be named, had pulled up to take a look at the scene and said he was shocked at the news of shots being fired.
He said: "I can't believe the news that shots were fired in here as I know the owner due to us living close to each other and I just hope he's alright.
"He's well-known around here as he fixes laptops for people who have teenagers, so to see this damage is really sad."
People living and working nearby spoke about the area, with one person saying they hadn't seen anything like that happening, while another said he wasn't surprised because of the reputation of Smethwick.
