Eric King-
A 22-year-old man was sent to jail for 27 years after seven people suffered injury from a shooting feud between rival gangs.
Reial Phillips was linked to Birmingham’s Burger Bar gang, was “at the heart” of the shootings,police said. He targeted rival members of the Johnson Crew, in an act of intimidation and vengeance. Police said his actions “brought fear” to people in the West Midlands.
COCAINE
Phillip’s friend, Ashai Gray, 22, also admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to nine years in jail. The world of drug dealing has always been very territorial and prone to conflicts that lead to gun violence. Ambitious drug dealers generally feel the need to own a gun in order to create an aura of respect and intimidation in their circles, and protect themselves from rival dealers who also possess guns.
Phillips and Gray were both banned from parts of Birmingham by police because of their links to “gun or gang crime”.
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West Midlands Police said 20-year-old Phillips, of Musgrave Road, Winson Green, and Gray were believed to be the “armed response” faction of the Burger Bar gang. The shootings took place over several months last year, escalating when members of the rivals groups uploaded rap videos online to taunt one another, the spokesman said.
SILENCE
Police said they faced a wall of silence after a 16-year-old boy was shot in the back at a BBQ in Nursery Road, Newtown on 20 July, causing the boy to almost lose his ability to walk.
On 25 July, two men were shot in the leg inside the Electric Club in Hurst Street. after Rap videos were uploaded online teasing rival gangs.
A month later, Phillips’ car was targeted in a shooting in Devonshire Street, Winson Green
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Phillips and Gray were arrested later in September after being stopped in a car on the M5. Police found a gun, balaclavas, gloves and stab vests after searching their homes, showing the pair to be very dangerous individuals.
Another online rap video encouraging gang-related violence led to four men being shot at Costcutter in Great Hampton Row, Newtown. The use of rap videos to aggravate rival gang members or anybody is very provocative and unnecessary. It undermines any value rap music has in terms of appreciating the power or beauty of well-thought lyrics.
Most gang members who deal drugs and freely use guns rarely consider the consequences of their actions at the time of their violent acts. Many feel compelled to avenge robberies and shady deals with accompanies the dangerous life of drug dealing. Robbing other drug dealers in common in the drug world, but when they themselves or their associates fall victim to the same robbery, they are quick to pull out the guns.
Jail sentences keep them off the streets, but some become hardened in jail and form criminal alliances there. Their gang lifestyle continues in jail at a lower level, where they intimidate vulnerable inmates who don’t show ‘respect’, or abide by their dominating rules. Fortunately, in this case, no lives were lost in the hands or Phillips. There will be many in the streets of Birmingham relieved at the news of their arrest, but there will still be some quaking in their boots for dear that their gang friends who are still about might come for them.
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