Police have launched an investigation after one man was shot and three others stabbed during a shocking street attack in a residential suburb.



Emergency services were called following reports of armed men fighting and a gun being fired at a car in the Birchhills area of Walsall, West Mids.

Four men were rushed to hospital, at least one with gunshot injuries and the others with stab wounds following the shooting at 11.50pm last night (Wed).

Officers recovered a gun and a machete from the scene on Reedswood Lane and a 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the violence.



An area outside Walsall Manor Hospital was also cordoned off with a blue forensics tent erected near to the A&E department.

A car could also be seen covered in tarpaulin outside the Premier convenience store

back at the scene a mile away in Birchills.

Residents living in the area said they were left feeling terrified and described hearing bangs and then screaming just before midnight yesterday.

West Midlands Police said two men were in a serious condition and two sustained non life-threatening injuries.

A force spokesperson said: "We're in the early stages of our enquiries but a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of wounding. "

"He remains in custody for questioning."

"We know others were involved and we'll be carrying out CCTV - and other enquiries - to identify them."

"We're working to establish why this happened and we'd ask anyone with information to speak to us. "

"Such violence is unacceptable and won't be tolerated."

"We've now got section 60 stop and search powers in place. As always our main focus is to keep everyone safe."

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of a gunshot incident near to the junction of Old Birchills and Reedswood Lane at 11.50pm. "

"Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a MERIT trauma doctor, with a critical care paramedic, were dispatched."

"We treated two patients for serious injuries, one of whom, a man, had suffered gunshot injuries. They were then both transferred to a major trauma centre."

"Two further patients were treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being handed over to hospital."

One resident, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "I was woken up by my wife, she shook me away saying 'there is something going on outside'. "

"I looked out the window and I just heard 'pop, pop, pop'."

"Then there was screaming or groaning. This area has always been a bit bad, but never really anything like this. It's getting worse."

Another local, said: "I left for work at about 7am, but the lane was cordoned off and the police told me I can't pass. "

"I had to go along Bentley Lane and order a taxi instead of taking our car."

"I don't know what happened. As I passed Reedswood Lane I could see a car covered up and something covered upon the road outside the shop."

One local mother added: "From what I have seen there is more and more drug dealing going on in the area. "

"You see these cars pull next to each other and pass stuff through the window."

"I don't know if this is related to anything like that but, it feels really tense around here now. "

"Everyone is on edge, it feels like people are waiting for something to happen."

Anyone with information is urged to contact police via Live Chat online or by calling 101 quoting 20/720593/24.

Alternatively, ring independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.