Crimewatch appeal after tragic shooting of Stephon Davidson
AN appeal is going out on TV after a young man was fatally wounded following an ambush on a Birmingham street by drive-by gangsters.
Stephon Davidson was in the Citroen Saxo with three other men when they came under fire in Ladywood in what police believe was a gang-related shooting.
Bullets shattered the rear windscreen. One bullet hit 19-year-old Stephon in the back of the neck.
He died last week after losing a month-long fight for life.
Murder squad police today released an image of the bullet-ridden Saxo in a bid to track down the gunman who fired the fatal shot in the attack on August 5.
Det Chief Insp Tim Bacon, who is leading the murder hunt, said it was believed the “brazen and reckless” shooting was a “targeted attack” on the Saxo but police do not know if one or all of the people inside were the intended victims.
Mr Davidson and his three friends were sitting in traffic on Monument Road, Ladywood, when a silver Toyota Avensis drew alongside and one of the occupants flashed a gun.
As they tried to escape towards Ladywood Middleway, the Avensis gave chase and a number of shots were fired.
Det Chief Insp Bacon appealed for help to trace the killers’ Avensis, registration number FE03 JXW. It is believed the car was in Birmingham but more recently in the Nottinghamshire or the Derby areas. He said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have information about this particular Toyota Avensis, where it was last seen, who was driving it or who might have bought it subsequently. It may now be in the hands of innocent parties.”
Mr Davidson’s mum, Maxine Sharp, aged 41, last week begged people not to seek retribution in her son’s name.
“Our son, Stephon, was full of life, warm hearted, loving and a caring individual,” she said.
“His family want to make clear that we do not want to see any form of revenge. One life lost is one too many.”
An appeal will be run on BBC1’s Crimewatch programme tonight.
* Anyone with information about Mr Davidson’s murder should contact the Major Investigation Unit on 0845 113 5000 or the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.
