Murder investigation launched after fatal shooting in Birmingham pub

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was killed in a fatal shooting at a pub.

Armed officers were called to the Dove Cote pub in Cockshut Hill in Birmingham at 5.46pm after reports of shots being fired.

One man was fatally injured and a "large area" surrounding the pub has been cordoned off, with drivers and pedestrians advised to avoid the area.

Chief Superintendent Alex Murray said: "We believe this may have been a targeted attack which happened in a busy pub in broad daylight this afternoon.

"At this stage we do not believe this is connected with any other incident.

"Local officers are at the scene and are being supported by armed police.

"Detectives from Force CID are already undertaking inquiries at the scene.

"This would have been a shocking incident for witnesses and will have a huge impact on the local community.

"I want to reassure residents that we are working hard to find the person responsible for this attack and are following a number of lines of inquiry at this early stage."

The Dovecote pub where the shooting happened is run by national chain the Stonegate Pub Company.

A spokesman for Stonegate said none of the staff had been hurt in the incident.

In a statement released on behalf of the company, it said: "We confirm an incident took place at the Dovecote, Birmingham.

"This is currently being investigated by the police and we are assisting them with their enquiries.

"The pub is currently closed and (will) remain so while the investigation continues."

A Yardley resident, who declined to be named, said there were a large number of uniform police officers on the scene.

He said: "Cockshut Hill is closed at the Dovecote pub, and a bus was stopped further down the hill at Duncroft Road.

"It looked like they were moving the passengers to another coach, because it's right on the bus route.

"There's a lot of uniform and traffic officers, but I couldn't see any armed officers when I was down there."

He added: "There are a lot of wild rumours flying around about it right now."

Mr Murray, speaking at the scene, told ITV News: "There were reports of shots being fired in the pub.

"Officers attended the pub and found a man who had been shot.

"First aid was administered, paramedics were in attendance and our firearms officers came.

"Unfortunately that man has now died.

"Because of that, our sincerest sympathies go out to his friends and his family."

He also appealed directly to locals in what is a busy residential area to come forward with information.

"We appeal to anyone who has seen something, you might have seen something suspicious, you might have seen someone driving off, you might have seen someone running off ," he said.

"Every single piece of information is really important to help us catch this killer."

Anyone with information is urged to contact West Midlands Police on 101.

PA