Diners flee restaurant gunfight

12 April 2012

Two men are being quizzed about a shooting at an up-market city centre restaurant as police gave reassurances about the "isolated" incident.

The pair, aged 25 and 40, were arrested after a firearm was discharged at Lazeez, in Birmingham's Mailbox centre - a mix of stylish shops, bars and restaurants and the BBC's new West Midlands base.

No-one was hurt but the gunfire saw terrified diners flee the venue.

The shooting was "not random" but involved a group of between 10 and 15 people in a private meeting, said Birmingham city centre commander Chief Superintendent Malcolm Coall.

Asked if it was part of a gangland dispute, he said there was "no evidence" of that "at this stage".

"I have spoken to investigators and our initial assessment is that this appears to have been contained within the premises between people who seem to know each other," said Ch Supt Coall. "We would appeal to those people to come forward."

Speaking outside the cordoned restaurant, he said it was too early to ascertain how many shots were fired. "We don't associate the city centre with this type of incident. It's a really popular venue for people on Friday night. This is an isolated incident."

A team of detectives and specialist officers has been assembled to investigate the incident and CCTV footage is being studied for further clues.

Police are also talking to the restaurant's boss, who is understood to have called 999 after the shooting.

The arrested men were in a vehicle when they were detained shortly after the shooting.

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