A violent incident unfolded at Al-Qamar restaurant on Vincent Street in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, when a man armed with a baseball bat and later a knife targeted diners after first assaulting a pregnant woman. The woman, who had been struck on the elbow with a baseball bat while walking home, ran into the restaurant seeking refuge.
Diners caught in the attack
Diner Akilah Bennett, 31, was preparing to leave the restaurant with her family when the pregnant woman burst in, screaming that she had been attacked. Moments later, the assailant arrived outside wielding a baseball bat. Initially, Bennett thought the attacker and the woman were acquainted, but it soon became clear the man was indiscriminately violent.
"He was waving the baseball bat around and trying to hit all of us. My uncle was brave and stood in the middle to protect the woman. The owner recognised his face and believed he was local to Balsall Heath," Bennett told Birmingham Live. She added, "The woman said she was walking home and he hit her in the elbow with a baseball bat. No one knew what he was saying. He was aiming for this woman but I don't think he even knew who she was."
Escalation and barricade
The attacker was chased away by Bennett's uncle, the restaurant owner, and others, but he returned with a knife. "Me and my cousin rounded everyone in and we shut the door to the restaurant. I was just standing by the door and I didn't know what would happen if he came in, we just wanted to keep everyone safe. It was nice to know the owner of the restaurant was there and protecting people," Bennett said.
The man eventually left the scene, and police and ambulance services arrived shortly after. Bennett noted, "It's a shame we had to hide in the restaurant because it was a lovely meal and the staff were amazing at how they dealt with the incident."
Police investigation
A West Midlands Police spokesperson confirmed the incident occurred just before 10pm on July 14 on Vincent Street. Officers responded to reports of an assault on a woman, who sustained a serious arm injury and was taken to hospital. The spokesperson added, "Members of the public who attempted to intervene were also threatened with a knife. We are reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses."
Authorities are urging anyone with information, particularly footage, to call 101 quoting log 6300 of 14 July.
