A 16-year-old boy is in hospital with potentially life threatening injuries after he was shot near a mosque in Birmingham on Wednesday evening.
West Midlands Police said officers were called to Bowyer Road in the Alum Rock area shortly before 5.30pm following reports of a shooting.
The teenager suffered severe gunshot wounds and was rushed to hospital, where he remains under treatment.
Police stressed there is no evidence at this stage that the shooting was connected to the nearby mosque.
In a statement, the force said: “Although this happened near a mosque, at this stage we do not believe the shooting to be connected to this place of worship.”
Officers acknowledged the incident would cause concern among local residents and said neighbourhood police would remain in the area to reassure the community and speak to anyone with information.
A large police presence remained at the scene on Wednesday evening as detectives carried out forensic examinations, reviewed CCTV footage and interviewed witnesses in an effort to identify those responsible.
Investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed the shooting, or who has dashcam, doorbell or CCTV footage from the area around the time of the attack, to come forward.
Police have also asked anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact West Midlands Police or report it anonymously through Crimestoppers.
No arrests have been announced and inquiries are continuing.
