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A man who opened fire at mourners attending a funeral has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 24 years. Meshaq Berryman fired four shots from a stolen car in the Handsworth area of Birmingham in February 2023, injuring three men and seriously affecting a young girl. During sentencing, the judge called gang violence a “scourge of the city”.
Berryman was found guilty of attempted murder after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. The shooting was reportedly a planned attack. Despite an abundance of evidence, Berryman continued to deny involvement and showed no remorse. The judge noted that he remains a grave danger to the public.
During the trial, the prosecution highlighted the ongoing physical and psychological impact of the shooting on the victims. The young girl affected by the event was found to have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, suffering from nightmares and flashbacks, alongside ongoing neck and shoulder pain. The prosecution added that one man who had been shot in the leg still struggles to walk and refuses to leave his home.
The incident occurred during a funeral gathering for Akeem Bailey, who was fatally stabbed in October 2022. Though police confirmed he had no association with gangs, Berryman apparently had reason to suspect belonging gang members would attend the event. CCTV footage depicts shots fired from a passing car, creating panic amongst the mourners. The situation was described as one of “utter terror.”
Detective Inspector Francis Knock, who oversaw the investigation, commented on the seriousness of the situation. The footage depicting the incident was described as “harrowing,” and Knock suggested that it was only “luck and chance” that prevented the situation from developing into a case of triple murder
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