Two men were fighting and one on-looker is said to have shouted: “He’s got a gun” as people dived for cover.
Customers in a Greggs bakery were locked inside a store by quick-thinking staff as a frightening incident took place on the street outside.
Shoppers including mums with babies in prams were inside while a brawl erupted outside.
Two men were fighting and one on-looker is said to have shouted: “He’s got a gun” as people dived for cover, according to reports from witnesses.
Other witnesses said they also saw a firearm and heard gunshots just before 1pm on Friday.
West Midlands Police are hunting for those involved in the violence outside a string of shops at The Radleys, off Sheldon Heath Road, in Sheldon.
The Mirror reports one witness posted online: “I was in there with my two-year-old. Saw the two men fighting outside. Someone shouted ‘he’s got a gun’ then I seen the gun.
“I ran straight to the back of Gregg’s – did not want to hang around to see the outcome.
“I opened the exit door to run out – one of the nice workers suggested we go in that back room for safety and lock the door.
“There were people having panic attacks. So sad. Just not safe around Sheldon and certainly not to bring kids up. Luckily no one was hurt in Greggs. Staff were very brave too.”
Another witness said: “I was inside with my daughter. It was so scary. Luckily the woman behind the counter lock the door and put the shutters down. We all went into the back.
“She was absolutely brilliant. Kept us all safe. There were babies in prams.
“They just don’t care, the shop was packed. The gun went off – it made the people panic.”
Another person added: “I am so shook up to the core, myself and mom have been in the middle of a gun battle. I feel sick.
“Greggs was full of people and we were getting lunch. If it wasn’t for Heather the Greggs lady noticing what was going on outside we could have been seriously hurt.
“The men were fighting and shooting. They tried to get into Greggs, but people were holding the door shut. We have to run to the back of Greggs in the kitchen area to take cover from the gunshots.
“The manager put the shutters down to protect us. I have never been so scared.”
No arrests have been made and police inquiries are ongoing.
A police spokeswoman said: “We were called to The Radleys, Sheldon, shortly before 12.55pm, yesterday (19 Dec) following reports of a disorder with weapons.
“An investigation is underway and we would ask anyone with any information to call us on 101, quoting incident number 2463 of 19 December or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
