Two jailed over Aston nightclub shooting
A man working at a food stall was injured in the crossfire
Two men have been jailed for 18 years each after firing guns at each other outside a nightclub in Aston and injuring a member of the public.
Aaron Nubie, a 46-year-old from Marsh Close, Erdington, and 27-year-old Kimani Durrell-Smith, from Victoria Road, Stockland Green, were sentenced on Thursday 22nd October.
Both were found guilty of wounding with intent following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
They had previously admitted possession of a firearm.
A closure order was also granted for the nightclub, FJ Lounge, following the shooting.
What happened outside FJ Lounge
Police said several shots were fired outside the club, on Bickford Road, at around 6am on 23rd March.
Officers responded quickly and an investigation was launched to find those responsible.
Police said Nubie and Durrell-Smith were identified as suspects through early enquiries.
Around half an hour after the shooting, Nubie arrived at hospital with a gunshot wound.
Police said he initially told officers he couldn't remember how it happened.
Nubie was arrested.
Police said Durrell-Smith tried to evade officers but was later arrested after a firearms warrant at an address in West Bromwich.
He had also been injured, but would not tell officers or healthcare professionals how it happened.
Police said a review of CCTV from the area clearly showed both men firing guns outside the venue.
Investigators then found the shooting was linked to a disagreement inside the club earlier in the evening.
According to police, enquiries suggested Nubie left the club but later returned armed with a gun, which he fired at Durrell-Smith as he left the venue.
Police said Durrell-Smith, who was already armed, then fired several shots back at Nubie.
A man who had been working at a food stall outside the club was caught in the crossfire.
Police said his injuries were not life-changing and that officers continue to support him.
Detective Sergeant Phil Hinton, from West Midlands Police's Major Crime Team, said: "Both men made a decision to arm themselves, and then to fire at each other at close range - which could have cost them their lives, and the lives of others.
"The fact that a member of the public was injured because of their dispute shows how selfish and reckless their actions were.
"We don't tolerate guns on the streets of the West Midlands, and we are working hard to identify and bring to justice those involved in gun crime.
"Thanks to a thorough investigation from our committed team, Nubie and Durrell-Smith are rightly now behind bars."