Cold-Blooded Murder in Stechford: Akeem Lawrence Sentenced
Akeem Lawrence played a key role in the vicious murder of 26-year-old Murtaza Nazir in a carefully planned hit on Bagshaw Road, Stechford, in August 2020.
Trapped and Gunned Down in Broad Daylight
Mr Nazir was driving his black Mitsubishi Shogun alone when he parked up and was fatally shot within minutes. Two vehicles bearing cloned number plates – a white Dacia Duster and a grey Seat Leon – had been circling the area for half an hour before pulling up fast next to him.
From the back seats of both cars, armed gunmen jumped out and fired a staggering 10 bullets from different angles while the drivers kept the engines running. The killers escaped in seconds, leaving Mr Nazir to die in the street. The entire attack lasted less than 30 seconds.
Justice Served: Life Sentences for Lawrence and Accomplices
- Two men, Tahir Zaman and Shamrez Khan, were jailed for life in April 2021, each with a minimum of 25 years behind bars after being convicted of Mr Nazir’s murder.
- After new CCTV footage and mobile phone data came to light, Lawrence, 30, of Clipson Road, Birmingham, was also charged with murder and firearm conspiracy.
- Despite denying the charges, a jury at Birmingham Crown Court found Lawrence guilty.
Yesterday, Lawrence was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 35 years, ensuring he will spend decades behind bars for his deadly role in the killing.
This brutal, precision attack sent shockwaves through Stechford and serves as a grim reminder of gang crime’s deadly reach on our streets.
