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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 'Shots fired' in city restaurant | 'Shots fired' in city restaurant |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Armed police sealed off a restaurant in a Birmingham retail centre after a number of shots were fired. | Armed police sealed off a restaurant in a Birmingham retail centre after a number of shots were fired. |
| A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said officers were called to a firearms incident in the Mailbox shopping complex in the city at 2145 GMT. | A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said officers were called to a firearms incident in the Mailbox shopping complex in the city at 2145 GMT. |
| One witness said he heard a volley of shots and saw people running from Cafe Lazeez, an Asian cuisine restaurant. | One witness said he heard a volley of shots and saw people running from Cafe Lazeez, an Asian cuisine restaurant. |
| "A number of shots were discharged. There are no reports of anyone injured at this stage," police said. | "A number of shots were discharged. There are no reports of anyone injured at this stage," police said. |
| 'Cool as cucumbers' | |
| One customer, who did not want to be named, told the BBC: "Three or four blokes walked in, and two minutes later at least 10 to 15 shots rang out. | |
| "My instinct, obviously, was to run out of there. | |
| I could see people clambering over each other like ants, trying to get out Eyewitness | I could see people clambering over each other like ants, trying to get out Eyewitness |
| "They walked out. Not only did they walk in cool as cucumbers, they walked out cool as cucumbers. | |
| "But once they were out of the restaurant, they ran like rabbits." | |
| Another witness, an employee of BBC Birmingham - which is based in the Mailbox - said: "I heard a vibration through the floor. | Another witness, an employee of BBC Birmingham - which is based in the Mailbox - said: "I heard a vibration through the floor. |
| "I went over to the window which overlooks the restaurant and could see people clambering over each other like ants, trying to get out. | "I went over to the window which overlooks the restaurant and could see people clambering over each other like ants, trying to get out. |
| "People were fleeing in desperation. It looked like they were running for their lives. | "People were fleeing in desperation. It looked like they were running for their lives. |
| "Initially I thought an explosive device had been detonated in there because that's what it felt like." | "Initially I thought an explosive device had been detonated in there because that's what it felt like." |
| A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We attended the scene at 2148. When we arrived we took instructions from police and did not enter the restaurant. | A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We attended the scene at 2148. When we arrived we took instructions from police and did not enter the restaurant. |
| "We were later stood down and have not treated anyone." | "We were later stood down and have not treated anyone." |
| People are still being allowed into the Mailbox. | People are still being allowed into the Mailbox. |
| The complex also houses Harvey Nichols, offices and retail outlets as well as restaurants, two hotels and 144 apartments. | The complex also houses Harvey Nichols, offices and retail outlets as well as restaurants, two hotels and 144 apartments. |