Customers praised the quick-thinking staff who helped keep customers safe after violence broke out
Joe Smith, Ben Perrin and Cheryl Mullin
19:27, 20 Dec 2025
Two people were rowing in the street outside the shops at the Radley in Sheldon, Birmingham when a witness reportedly shouted, “he’s got a gun”(Image: GoogleMaps)
Terrified customers inside a Greggs bakery found themselves caught up in a frightening ordeal after violence broke out on the street outside the shop.
Panicked shoppers, among them mums with young children in prams, were secured inside the shop by alert staff following a cry of alarm from a witness who yelled “he’s got a gun!”. West Midlands Police have now launched an investigation into those responsible for the disturbance outside a parade of shops at The Radleys, off Sheldon Heath Road, in Sheldon, Birmingham which occurred yesterday afternoon, Friday, December 19.
Two people were rowing in the street outside the Greggs when an onlooker is reported to have cried out: “He’s got a gun”. Bystanders scrambled for safety, according to witness accounts.
Additional witnesses claim they spotted a weapon and heard what sounded like gunfire shortly before 1pm, reports the Mirror.
Staff at Greggs were praised for their quick response in protecting those inside, securing the doors and bringing down the shutters while the incident unfolded.
One witness said: “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 Greggs – 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 locked 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.”
A further eyewitness said: “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, with police investigations continuing.
A police spokesperson 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.”