A15-year-old boy has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after a ‘drive-by’ shooting in Coventry.
West Midlands Police has launched an investigation after shots were fired from a motorbike carrying a number of people as it drove past McDonald’s in the city centre. Officers were called to Cross Cheaping at around 11.10pm on Saturday.
A second man, believed to be aged around 20, suffered minor injuries and has been released from hospital.
The force, which is treating the incident as attempted murder, said the 15-year-old was taken to hospital for surgery though his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have dash cam footage from the area, as there were a number of taxis in the city centre at the time.
The force has stepped up its presence in the city centre to reassure the public.
Detective inspector Harjit Ubhi said: “This was an appalling and reckless attack in a part of the city centre which was busy with people enjoying nights out.
“We are already going through CCTV and identifying witnesses, and are determined to bring the people responsible to justice as swiftly as possible.”
Officers are also trying to establish if there are any links with two other incidents at around the same time.
A knife was recovered from a bag in the Cosy Club on Cathedral Lanes and three people were arrested at around 11.30pm.
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old man was robbed of jewellery near the nearby Litten Tree pub.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, via 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.