Four men have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 50 years in prison for a calculated and brutal revenge shooting that unfolded in a quiet Birmingham cul-de-sac. The attack, described by police as 'terrifying,' left 24-year-old Shakeel Ali with severe injuries, including a bullet that remains lodged in his chest due to surgical risks.
Ambush in Moseley
The incident occurred on August 13 last year at approximately 11:30 pm on Woodnorton Drive in Moseley. The victim was lured to the location by an acquaintance acting on behalf of the gang. Upon arrival, his car was rammed and trapped by a Vauxhall Insignia carrying the four assailants: Humza Tufail, Abdelhafez Mohammed, Mohammed Aziz, and Awil Mohammed. The gang emerged shouting 'shoot him in the face' before launching a vicious attack.
Details of the Attack
Abdelhafez Mohammed fired two shots, striking Mr. Ali in the chest and leg. Awil Mohammed opened the victim's car door, while Tufail and Aziz beat him with a baseball bat and another weapon. The gang attempted to drag Mr. Ali from his vehicle but fled in a pre-positioned Audi when another car arrived on the scene. The attack was meticulously planned, with the location chosen specifically for its lack of CCTV coverage. A getaway vehicle had been parked on nearby Sandhurst Road.
Motive and Background
The shooting was an act of revenge. Humza Tufail held a grudge against Mr. Ali, believing he was involved in a shooting at Tufail's home ten months earlier. The gang orchestrated the ambush through a mutual acquaintance who arranged for Mr. Ali to drive to the isolated spot.
Life-Changing Injuries
Mr. Ali spent over a week in intensive care. The bullet that entered his chest passed through his lung, causing significant blood loss. Due to the danger of surgical removal, the bullet remains in his body, a permanent reminder of the attack.
Sentencing
The four men were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, June 25, after pleading guilty to wounding with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence. All received a five-year extension to their licence periods.
- Humza Tufail, 25, of Mount Close, Moseley: 13 years in prison.
- Abdelhafez Mohammed, 27, of Bracebridge Road, Erdington: 15 years and six months.
- Mohammed Aziz, 23, of Chilcote Close, Hall Green: 13 years and six months.
- Awil Mohammed, 25, of Thomas Crescent, Smethwick: 16 years in total, including additional time for two counts of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply in 2023.
Police Response
Detective Inspector Matt Marston of West Midlands Police stated: 'This was a terrifying incident for the victim and those living in the area. We will not tolerate violence on our streets and will take robust action against anyone involved in crimes like this.' The force released custody photos of the gang following their sentencing.
