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Detectives hunt for two suspects who fled the scene on electric scooters following a fatal disorder outside a mosque on Oldbury Road.
West Midlands Police have intensified their murder investigation following the tragic death of an 18-year-old man in Smethwick, with new details emerging about the suspects involved in the targeted violence. The incident, which unfolded late Friday evening, February 20, 2026, saw a peaceful night of prayer at a local mosque shattered by a sudden outbreak of disorder that left one teenager dead and two others wounded.
The Ambush at Oldbury Road
The investigation has pivoted to a specific search for two masked individuals who were reportedly seen riding electric scooters near the mosque shortly before 9:00 PM. Witnesses describe a chaotic scene where the victim was intercepted and attacked in what appeared to be a swift and violent confrontation. Despite the immediate response from emergency services and efforts by worshippers to provide first aid, the 18-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries. Two other men, aged 19 and 22, were also caught in the fray and sustained injuries, though hospital officials have confirmed their conditions are stable and not life-threatening.
Victim Identity and Community Impact
While formal identification has not yet been released by the Coroner, local community members and congregants have identified the victim as a young man of South Asian heritage. Local reports and discussions within the community suggest the teenager was part of the British Bangladeshi community, a demographic with a significant presence in the Smethwick and Sandwell areas. The timing of the attack—coinciding with evening prayers—has sent shockwaves through the local population, though police have explicitly stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest the killing was motivated by racial or religious hatred. Instead, detectives are focusing on the "disorder" element, investigating whether the tragedy stemmed from a localized dispute or a targeted ambush.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The area surrounding the mosque on Oldbury Road remains under a strict police cordon as forensic teams continue to sweep the pavement for evidence. The primary focus of the next 24 hours is the recovery of high-definition CCTV footage from surrounding businesses and residential doorbell cameras to track the escape route of the e-scooter riders. West Midlands Police have increased their footprint in Smethwick, deploying "reassurance patrols" to calm tensions. Authorities are urging anyone who may have captured dashcam footage of two individuals on scooters in the B66 area between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM to come forward immediately.
The Growing Scourge of E-Scooter Violence
This incident highlights a worrying trend in urban crime where electric scooters are utilized for rapid, silent approaches and quick escapes through narrow pedestrian paths where police vehicles cannot follow. As the investigation progresses, the local council and community leaders are expected to meet with police to discuss long-term safety measures for the Oldbury Road corridor. For now, the focus remains on bringing the perpetrators to justice and supporting a grieving family who has lost a son just as he was entering adulthood.
