The peace of a churchyard was shattered after a man was shot in the chest and another stabbed with a machete. Violence broke out when Awais Ahmed and Antroye Coley had a chance encounter on Alum Rock Road at around 11.50pm on 26 June last year.

Ahmed, aged 21, quickly left the scene in a Seat Leon, and detectives believed he fetched a gun from a car parked on nearby Clipston Road. Meanwhile, Coley also armed himself, fetching a machete from his home on Blossom Grove, Hodge Hill.

Coley then went looking for Ahmed around the Alum Rock area, before finding him in the Seat on the car park of Christ Church on Burney Lane, Ward End - which was a known hangout of Ahmed and his friends.

Coley and Junior Losinho, who had driven him there, were captured on CCTV getting out of their Citroen, with the glint of a machete visible in Coley’s hands. The men are seen creeping up to Ahmed and his friend, Aman Baig, who were sitting in the Leon.

A flash is seen from the back of the car as Ahmed opens fire with a handgun, hitting Coley in the chest. Coley stabbed Ahmed with the machete before stumbling away and fleeing with Losinho.

The injured men were driven to Heartlands Hospital by their friends. But as the injured men walked in separately, Ahmed’s friends spotted Coley and so drove him to City Hospital instead.

Reporting restrictions have meant that the details of the case can only be revealed for the first time today. At Birmingham Crown Court earlier this year, Awais Ahmed of Burney Lane was jailed for 24 years after being found guilty of wounding with intent, and possession of a firearm with intent.

Baig, aged 22, of Clipston Road, was jailed for seven years for possession of a firearm. Losinho, 21, and Coley, 19, both of Blossom Grove, Hodge Hill, admitted wounding Ahmed and were sentenced on Tuesday (3 September).

Coley was jailed for three years for wounding with intent, and Losinho was given one year for wounding.

CCTV Evidence Played a Crucial Role

Det Insp Francis Nock, from our Major Crime Reactive Team, said: “This was appalling violence involving deadly weapons on the streets of Birmingham.

“We don’t know the motivation behind what happened. We believe Ahmed and Coley were previously friends but have fallen out to such a degree that they were willing to inflict serious harm on each other.

“When the men arrived at hospital, neither of them was prepared to say what had happened, so we had to work backwards, starting with CCTV from the hospital, to establish exactly what had happened and where.

“CCTV played a crucial role in building strong cases against all of those involved.

“The investigation started with very little information but became much clearer thanks to the recovery of painstaking examination of more than 1,000 hours of footage. It meant those involved had no choice but to admit they were present when the violence erupted.”

The Aftermath: A City Plagued by Gun Violence

The incident at Christ Church is a stark reminder of the increasing levels of gun violence in Birmingham. Last year, there were 92 shootings across the region, compared to 126 the year before. Meanwhile, the number of guns recovered rose from 121 to 152.

The CCTV footage from the churchyard shows the shocking moment the violence unfolded. Coley, armed with a machete, can be seen creeping up to Ahmed’s car with his friend Losinho. Ahmed, seeing the pair approaching, fires a shot, striking Coley in the chest.

In response, Coley stabs Ahmed with the machete before fleeing the scene.

The two wounded men were taken to separate hospitals by their friends. Both refused to speak to police, leaving investigators with very little information to work with. It was only after reviewing more than 1,000 hours of CCTV footage that police were able to piece together what had happened. The footage was crucial in securing the convictions of the four men involved in the incident.

The Toll of Violence: A Community Reeling

The violence in the churchyard has left the community reeling. The incident highlights the dangers of escalating conflicts, especially when they involve deadly weapons. It is a stark reminder that even seemingly minor disputes can quickly turn deadly.

The case also highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and the community. The police’s reliance on CCTV footage to solve the case underscores the need for increased public surveillance in areas where crime is prevalent. This incident serves as a wake-up call for residents, authorities, and community leaders to work together to address the root causes of violence and create a safer environment for everyone.