A man who shot a boy in the head causing life-changing injuries has been found guilty of attempted murder. Tanzir Ali, 27, of Glencoe Road, Sheffield, left the 16-year-old fighting for his life after shooting him in London Road at 5.15pm on November 24 last year.
Devastating attack
Greg Dakin from South Yorkshire Police said: "The victim and his family’s lives have been changed forever by this devastating attack. The boy’s family were forced to endure the pain of waiting at his bedside, not knowing if he would pass away from his injuries."
South Yorkshire Police said the youngster is still in hospital more than nine months after he was shot by Ali.
Flee to Aberdeen
The gunman bolted after the shooting, fleeing to Aberdeen where Sharna Osborne, 24, booked a hotel room for them using fake details. Ali was arrested in the Scottish city on suspicion of attempted murder and firearms offences while Osborne, of Duthie Terrace, Aberdeen, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
A forensic examination of the scene was carried out and detectives scoured CCTV which captured the exact moment Ali shot the boy. Police said Ali and Osborne were then charged. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence but not guilty to attempted murder. She pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender.
Court verdict
Ali told Sheffield Crown Court he didn't mean to press the trigger and claimed he did not know it was loaded. CCTV shows the gunman among a group of people in a row with the boy. Ali pulls out the weapon from his pocket, a loud bang is heard before the teenager collapses on the ground. Footage shows Ali put the gun back in his pocket and flee.
Ali was found guilty of attempted murder at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday (September 2). Osborne was found guilty of assisting an offender at the same court on Thursday (September 3). They have both been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at the same court on November 18.
Mr Dakin said he was glad the police had helped get justice for the victim and his family. He added: "Ali attempted to kill a child, and then fled hundreds of miles away in a cowardly effort to escape the consequences, aided by Osborne. I am very proud of the officers who worked tirelessly on this investigation and would like to thank Police Scotland for their assistance in the apprehension of Ali and Osborne. I hope that these convictions further demonstrate our commitment to rid South Yorkshire of gun violence."
