A gunman who opened fire on a rival in a Birmingham car park has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after a dramatic arrest by armed police. Mohammed Islam, 36, of Imperial Road, was found guilty of wounding with intent and racially aggravated public order offences following a violent confrontation in Small Heath last year.
CCTV footage captured the shocking incident, which unfolded on the evening of 2 September 2023, on Charles Road. Islam arrived in a black VW Passat and confronted his victim on a shop car park at around 7.50pm. Brandishing a silver handgun, he chased the man around the car park as bystanders fled in terror. Islam fired twice, missing his target, but as the victim tripped, he fired a final shot, striking him in the left thigh. Islam and two accomplices then fled the scene.
The attack was later revealed to be an act of revenge, sparked by an earlier altercation on the same road where the victim had allegedly threatened Islam with a knife. The motive for the initial dispute remains unclear.
A major investigation led by West Midlands Police’s Major Crime Unit pieced together the events using CCTV, mobile phone analysis, and witness testimony. Islam was identified as the perpetrator and arrested at gunpoint while travelling in a taxi in Highgate. During his arrest, he racially abused officers and later denied involvement in the shooting. However, overwhelming evidence, including footage of the earlier knife threat, secured his conviction.
At Birmingham Crown Court, Islam was cleared of attempted murder but found guilty of wounding with intent and racially aggravated public order offences. On Thursday, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Detective Inspector Matt Marston, from the Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a truly shocking outburst of violence, which has seen multiple shots fired and a man very lucky to have survived. Islam clearly wanted to cause his victim really serious harm, and this could easily have become a murder investigation. We put a huge amount of effort into tackling gun crime in the West Midlands, and people who think it’s acceptable to carry or use weapons should be on notice that we will actively pursue them.”
The case highlights the ongoing efforts by West Midlands Police to combat serious and organised crime. Last year, more than 200 firearms were seized in the region, marking a significant success in the force’s mission to tackle gun crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, and exploitation.
DI Marston added: “Our teams will continue to work 24/7 to target those involved in guns, drugs, and other serious crimes. The streets of the West Midlands are safer today thanks to the dedication of our officers and the justice served in this case.”