'Inside I'm dying': Plea to find son's killer

Raad Asmael was found fatally injured inside a car on Rotton Park Road, at the junction of City Road in Edgbaston, late on 22 November 2024

A grieving family have been left frustrated by a lack of progress in the investigation into the death of their son, who was shot a year ago while in his car in Birmingham.

Raad Asmael, 27, died after the drive-by shooting on Rotton Park Road, at the junction of City Road in Edgbaston, just before 23:00 GMT on 22 November 2024.

Twelve men have been arrested in connection with father-of-one Mr Asmael's death, but have all either been bailed or released under investigation as inquiries continue.

West Midlands Police (WMP) said that it continued to support and update the family on developments in the investigation, which it said remained "live and active".

In a statement, the force said detectives were working to identify those responsible and the priority was to get justice for Mr Asmael and his family.

Mr Asmael's parents, Noufel and Arwaassi, said they just want justice for their son

"I believe the police work hard, but I need more work on this. The only thing I want is justice for my son," said Mr Asmael's father, Noufel, from Smethwick.

He said he did not believe officers had done enough to investigate a group of men involved in a fight with his son six months before the shooting.

"The police find nothing," he said.

"Two guys were inside the car who shot my son. They wore masks, they continued to the Quinton area and ran away. Where's the gun, where's the CCTV?"

Mr Asmael's mother, Arwaassi, said the lack of progress had exacerbated her grief.

"It's been a very difficult time. I thought we'd get stronger, but it's the opposite," she said.

"I miss him so much. Inside, I'm dying."

Arwaassi Asmael said it was "killing her" when her grandson kisses a photo of his father and asks where he is

Ms Asmael, who has four other children, said she felt police had not supported her.

"Nobody has come to talk to me once since that time," she said.

She added she "can't feel happiness", but that if someone was brought to justice for her son's murder, "maybe I'd feel a little bit of peace."

Appeal for witnesses

Her son, an engineering graduate from Coventry University, had been working as a security guard and mechanic before his death, she said. He was married and had a young son.

His mother said he'd "never been in any trouble, not in school, work, uni or home".

"I know my son is not going to come back. At least when justice is done, for me, he'll be in peace," she said.

In its statement, WMP said it was continuing to "pursue all lines of enquiry".

"[This includes] reviewing material provided to us. Detectives are working at pace to identify those responsible and gather all available evidence," it said.

"We continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. You can get in touch with us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101 quoting crime reference number 20/944859/24."