Former gang member whose chest was left 'smoking' after being shot by armed police to take legal action

'I will probably never be the same person again,' says Sharif Cousins

A former gang member whose chest was left "smoking" after he was shot by armed police is planning to sue the force involved.

Sharif Cousins claimed his hands were in the air when officers from West Midlands Police opened fire on him last July.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” the 41-year-old told the BBC, adding: "My life has been ruined because of this episode... I'm taking four medications. I will probably never be the same person again."

Cousins, now a youth worker helping to keep young people out of gangs, was placed into an induced coma for three weeks after he was shot in south west Birmingham.

The 41-year-old said he still cannot lift his arm fully, and suffers from pain and panic attacks.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is investigating the incident, said he was shot in an alleyway after armed police were deployed to the area having received intelligence relating to firearm offences.

The man he was with, Jamael Scarlett, was subsequently arrested for unrelated offences and sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Cousins was not charged with anything.

It was the first time in 17 years anyone had been shot by a West Midland’s Police officer. The IPCC is still carrying out a “thorough, independent investigation” of the incident.

Cousins said that he was out buying cigarettes for his girlfriend when he was confronted by armed officers.

"At that point police have just run out in the alleyway, out of nowhere - and said 'Stop, put your hands up', or something like that," he said. “So we've put our hands up and then I just heard a bang. I've looked down at my chest, obviously, and my chest is smoking and stuff.

"I'm looking at the policeman saying 'You actually just shot me?' By the time I finished my sentence my voice has gone, so I am whispering."

Cousins, spent 15 years in prison, including an eight-year term for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life for pointing a gun at a police officer, before going on to start the New Day Foundation, which aims to steer young people away from gangs.

“Now that I did pull through I just have to give thanks to God... because males that usually go through these type of situations they don't live to tell the story,” he said.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Kenny Bell said the force was waiting on the results of the IOPC's investigation into the case before commenting.

"However what we would like is to be able to give some clarity to local people that we serve across the West Midlands,” he said.

“We respond to every individual on a case by case basis – we use all information available to enable us to provide an appropriate police response. For example, if we have information that someone has access to firearms or has used a firearm at any point, that individual could face a response from armed officers.

“The public would expect us to respond to a potential threat in an appropriate and proportionate manner. We have a duty, not only to protect our officers, but also local communities.”