Bilston club shooting: Three arrested

Nov 23 2009 By Matt Lloyd

THREE men were today being questioned by detectives hunting the killers of a man who was shot dead outside a Bilston nightclub.

Police said two of the men, aged 29 and 36, were being quizzed on suspicion of murder.

The other, aged 34, was being held on suspicion of conspiracy to wound and perverting the course of justice.

The victim, a man aged 50, from the Dudley area, who has not yet been named, was shot outside the Tropical Harmony Club.

Police believe about 50 people were in the club when the shooting happened early on Saturday.

They today renewed an urgent appeal for witnesses and information.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Forensic scene investigators and police officers were at the scene all weekend to establish what happened.

“Three men were arrested yesterday.”

He added: “The victim is not being named at present. Family liaison officers were immediately appointed and are working closely with the family.”

Meanwhile it emerged that the club could be closed down at an emergency meeting of licensing bosses.

The special meeting may be called to discuss the future of the venue.

Saturday’s shooting was the second outside the troubled club in the past 14 months.

A man connected with the local club scene, who asked not to be named, said the killing was over drugs but claimed the victim was not a criminal.

No-one could be contacted immediately for comment from the club.

Coun John Davis, chairman of the licensing committee at Wolverhampton Council, said an emergency meeting of the committee could be called to discuss the issue.

He said: “It’s very frightening.

“Action will be imminent as far as I can see. I’ll be making calls today to the democratic people at the council who will probably already have information on their desks.

“The police will put in a request to review the license and we could have an emergency meeting on it.”

Wolverhampton Conservative Councillor Gillian Fellows, insisted that the club should have its licence revoked.

“Enough is enough,” she said. “I will be encouraging my colleagues to have this nightclub’s licence revoked.

“Bilston High Street is not a dangerous place but it could get that reputation if behaviour like this carries on.

“We can, and will, put a stop to it. I shouldn’t think it will be open for very much longer after this incident.”

* Anyone who saw the incident or has information should call CID at Bilston Street police station on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.