A drive-by shooting occurred during a funeral wake in Birmingham for Akeem Bailey, a 17-year-old stabbing victim, on October 24, 2023.

The shooting took place at St Mary’s Church Hall around 6 PM, where gunfire erupted from a stolen Nissan Qashqai, targeting a crowd of mourners.

Four individuals were injured in the incident: a 19-year-old man was shot in the chest, another 19-year-old sustained a foot injury, an 18-year-old was shot in the knee, and a 14-year-old girl was trampled in the ensuing chaos.

The 14-year-old girl suffered significant injuries after being trampled by the panicked crowd during the shooting.

Meshaq Berryman was identified as the gunman, firing from the rear passenger seat of the vehicle, which was later found abandoned in Little Francis Grove.

After a three-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Berryman was found guilty of three counts of attempted murder, believing rival gang members were present, despite Bailey having no gang affiliations.

Detective Inspector Francis Nock emphasized the serious impact of gun crime on families and communities, noting extensive police efforts that led to Berryman's conviction through CCTV, mobile phone, and forensic evidence.

Nock described the shooting as targeted, highlighting the terror experienced by mourners who should have felt safe during the wake.

Following the shooting, police found bullet casings nearby and located the abandoned vehicle two miles away.

Berryman will be sentenced on December 6, 2024, while another man was acquitted of attempted murder charges in a separate trial.

Despite this incident, the West Midlands has seen a decline in shootings, dropping from 126 the previous year to 92, indicating a reduction in gun-related violence.

Berryman was arrested while wearing a blue and red dressing gown.