Dad and sons charged with murdering man outside row of city shop

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford was called to the scene at 2.55pm. Medics found Mr Smith in a 'criitical condition' but could not save him and he was declared dead at the scene.

Three men were arrested in Devon on Friday (March 17) and now those three, a dad and two sons, have been charged with Mr Smith's murder. Lee O'Brien, 53, of Lea Hall Road in Lea Hall, and his sons Luke O'Brien, 35, of Sunnymead Road in Yardley and Lewis O'Brien, The Meadway, also in Lea Hall have been remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Saturday (March 18) to face those charges.

Read more: Shard End attack victim named as Darren Smith as family pay tribute to 'caring and loving son'

In an emotional tribute, Mr Smith's family said: "We as a family are devastated at the loss of our son Darren. He was a caring man and was loved by all who knew him. He was tragically taken from us and this has left a huge void in our lives. We would now wish to be left alone so we can deal with our loss and grieve in private."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We've charged three men with the murder of Darren Smith in Shard End earlier this week. Mr Smith was found with head injuries in the Heath Way at just before 2.50pm on Wednesday (March 15) and sadly died shortly afterwards.

"Following enquiries three men were detained in Devon and have now been charged with the murder of the 50-year-old. Lee O'Brien, aged 53, Luke O'Brien, 35, and Lewis O'Brien, 31, all from Birmingham, have been remanded to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Saturday (March 18).

"Enquiries around the circumstances continue and anyone with information is asked to contact us via 101, or Live Chat on our website, and quote log 2653 of 15 March."

It is the second time this week that a father and sons have been charged with murder, with Ahmad Alsino aged 42 and his son Bashar Alsino, aged 20, charged with the murder of a 56-year-old in Cadbury Drive in Castle Vale earlier this week.

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