West Midlands Police have begun investigating a double murder after police found two men shot and killed in a parked car off Moor Street in Brierley Hill, Dudley. The victims were found on an industrial estate just before 3.30 pm on Wednesday, September 30th
Investigators estimate that the victims were killed shortly after 1 pm. The area was still sealed off and being investigated by police according to the most recent reporting. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, but they have not yet been publicly identified by authorities.
A suspect was detained by police on Thursday, October 1st, after his vehicle was stopped on Hunter Street in Carnforth, Lancashire, at around 11.30 am Thursday.
West Midlands Police told reporters that the suspect is being transported to a custody facility for questioning.
Birmingham Live broadcast a report from the scene of the crime.
Live from the scene of a double murder investigation in Moor Street, Brierley Hill
Posted by Birmingham Live on Thursday, October 1, 2020
None of the residents living in the area say that they heard anything that evening. However, now that they have heard the news, many of the area’s residents are afraid to leave their homes.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro from the Homicide Unit, said, “This is a fast moving investigation, a real team effort involving officers who’ve worked around the clock since the discovery of the bodies to trace the person we believe is responsible.”
Munro noted that the arrest made in the case was a significant development but enquiries continue and every possibility must be explored.
A post mortem examination is scheduled to take place tomorrow.
There has been a string of violent shootings in The Black Country, all within 72 hours of each other. Another shooting in Cradley Health left a man with arm and neck wounds. He was also found in his car. The victim was able to drive away from the shooting but was not able to make it to safety. He was found by police and taken to hospital where he remains in serious condition.
In another case, a shot was fired through a window of a college in Wolverhampton college, but luckily no one was hurt in that shooting.
West Midlands Police have urged the public not to jump to any conclusions about these shootings being connected because there is not currently any evidence to support that theory. Suspects have not yet been found in either of the other cases, but the police are appealing to the public for help. Even though the suspect in the double murder investigation is currently being detained by police, they have not yet solved the case.
In the year ending 31 March 2019, there were a total of 6,759 firearm offences recorded in the England & Wales. This was an increase of 4% compared with 6,534 offences recorded during the year ending 31 March 2018, and the highest recorded number since 7,040 in 2010/11. The statistics are not yet in for gun crimes in the year 2020, but things may not be looking good if these stories are any indication of a trend.
Anyone with information regarding the double murder investigation should contact police via Live Chat at West Midlands Police’s website or call 101 quoting log 3204. For the shooting in Cradley Heath call 101 quoting 20SW/236253B/20.
Or if you wish to make tips anonymously, you can always contact the private charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
