Walsall shooting live as man left dead and murder investigation launched

Latest updates

We have a fresh blog covering all the updates from this incident and the murder investigations today. You can find it by clicking here.

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Birmingham Live will be looking to get the latest information on this shocking incident as the city wakes up this morning.

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Get in touch with police if you know anything

Anyone with information was urged to call police on 101 and quote log 3637 of 8 July. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Increased police presence

The police spokesperson added: "Officers remain on Well Lane while we conduct forensic examination of the area. We are also speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV.

"We understand the alarm that such incidents cause and there will be an increase in police presence around the area in coming days. Officers will be offering reassurance, so please talk to them if you have any concerns."

Police statement

A spokesperson for West MIdlands Police said: " We’ve launched a murder investigation following a fatal shooting in Walsall today (Monday 8 July). We received a report just before 5pm that a man had been shot in Well Lane, Walsall.

"The man, who was in his 20s, sadly died at the scene. Another man was also wounded and is receiving treatment to his injuries, which are not life-threatening."

Man who died was in his 20s

A murder investigation is underway after a man was shot dead in Walsall. He was killed on Well Lane, in the Blakenall area of the town this evening.

Police were called to the scene at around 5pm to reports of a shooting. There they found two men - one in his 20s who died at the scene and a second man who suffered non-life threatening injuries.

A cordon remains in place tonight on Well Lane where a forensic investigation is taking place. Earlier crowds were gathered at the scene as the community expressed shock at the shooting.

Murder investigation launched

Police have confirmed a murder investigation is underway tonight after man was shot dead.

Full story here.

Walsall road to remain closed overnight as police helicopter called in after 'incident'

A road in the Black Country will remain closed overnight following a police incident. Walker Road in Bloxwich, Walsall, was a hub of activity this evening with crowds gathered as a police investigation was underway.

Officials have not disclosed the nature of the incident, but West Midlands Police urged drivers to avoid the area in a statement shared just before 6pm. They said: "We are currently dealing with an incident in Well Lane, Walsall.

"A cordon is in place and drivers are advised to avoid the area." Buses were diverted away from the scene and will remain so tomorrow (Tuesday, July 9), a spokesperson for National Express West Midlands has said.

Click here to read the full story.

'The roar of the helicopter buzzes overhead'

Our reporter at the scene said: "The roar of the helicopter buzzes overhead as the police copter goes around and around in circles. The helicopter is now moving much slower overhead like those in it maybe scouring what's below."

Footage of police helicopter above Walker Road

Police helicopter flying above scene

A police helicopter has been seen flying above the cordon.

Walker Road to remain closed tomorrow

A spokesperson for National Express West Midlands said on X: "Diversion 9th July 2024 #WalkerRoad will be closed due to an ongoing police incident. 29 to Bloxwich/Blakenall Harden Road, Bloxwich Road, Blakenall Lane, Blakenall Heath, normal line of route. 29 to Walsall Ingram Road, Blakenall Lane, reverse of above."

Diversion

9th July 2024#WalkerRoad will be closed due to an ongoing police incident

29 to Bloxwich/Blakenall
Harden Road, Bloxwich Road, Blakenall Lane, Blakenall Heath, normal line of route.

29 to Walsall
Ingram Road, Blakenall Lane, reverse of above.

— NX West Midlands (@nxwestmidlands) July 8, 2024

Crowd is thinning

The crowd is thinning slightly but there are still a core of people nearby on the opposite side of Wells Lane. The light spotting or rain is becoming more persistent drizzle now

Supermarket sits within cordon

There's some semblance of activity to the sides of the main Wells Lane cordon as the two surrounding roads have been opened. The Oak Supermarket has its doors open and lights on but no one is allowed in as it's in the cordon and yards from where this incident has occurred

Crowds gather in 'stunned shock' as Walsall police incident closes street

A heavy police presence is being felt in part of the Black Country this evening following an 'incident'. Crowds of locals have gathered near Walker Road in Walsall which has been cordoned off by officials.

It comes following an undisclosed 'incident' earlier today (Monday, July 8). Blue tarpaulin can be seen near to a vehicle within the cordon, and multiple police cars and vans are in the area.

Click here to read the full story.

Latest from reporter at scene

Our reporter said: "I'm counting 10 marked police cars now. Two police forensics vans. A large group is still gathered to the side of Wells Lane. The traffic is now moving along the nearby roads so the silence is now replaced by vehicles driving thorough. While some roads have reopened Wells Lane, where the van is, remains the centre of police activity. Groups look on as forensics officers and detectives continue to go about their work."

Unmarked police car drives away from scene

An unmarked police car has now driven away with its blue lights flashing.

Some police cordons lifted

The police cordons blocking Walker Road and Chaucer Road have been lifted. A cordon remains on Wells Lane.

Picture shows cordon from Well Lane

The police cordon seen from Well Lane.

Forensic officers at scene

A number of forensic officers have been seen arriving at the cordon.

'The whole community has come out in stunned shock'

Our reporter describes the scene: "Among those gathered are parents with young children. Older people. It's like the whole community has come out in stunned shock and disbelief. There's a quiet murmur, but very quiet. Punctuated by children talking seemingly unaware of the seriousness of what's happened."

Shops within police cordon

The Oak supermarket and Oak Fish Bar are within the cordoned off area. The chip shop isn't open. The shop is but people can't access it.

Police forensic vans are also at the scene.

Crowds of people gathered near scene

The large crowd gathered appears to be in stunned silence at what's gone on. Residents are looking on in disbelief. Roads are blocked as you approach the scene to cars. But there's a very small cordon which is stopping pedestrians by the van surrounded by tarpaulin.

'Things just get worse and worse round here'

One person wrote on Facebook: "I just saw the police. I live round the corner - honestly things just get worse and worse round here."

Heavy police presence

Officers continue to work at the scene.

Van 'surrounded by blue tarpaulin'

Our reporter at the scene says that there's a small cordon in place and a van can be seen surrounded by blue tarpaulin. Four police vehicles, including a Police Incident Support Vehicle, block the end of Wells Lane Where it meets Chaucer Road

Footage from the scene

There is a heavy police presence in the area following an 'incident'.

First pictures from the scene

Our reporter says that there are at least a dozen police vehicles at the scene.

What is the 'incident'?

West Midlands Police have not yet shared the nature of the incident which has closed the road. They have however advised drivers to "avoid the area."

Reporter on way to scene

Our reporter is on the way to the scene. We will bring you the latest updates as soon as we get them.