Birmingham Gunman Sentenced to 19 Years for Shooting Man in Drug Deal Dispute
Tyrone Solomon, 47, has been sentenced to 19 years in prison with an extended five-year licence period for shooting a man in Handsworth, Birmingham, following a dispute over a drug deal. The incident occurred on February 1, 2024, on Hamstead Road.
Details of the Shooting
Solomon shot Ibrar Hussain in the abdomen after a disagreement arose regarding the quantity of crack cocaine received. According to court testimony, Solomon believed he had been short-changed, receiving six wraps instead of the nine he had paid for. The disagreement escalated, and Solomon produced a firearm.
During the ensuing struggle, the gun discharged, and Hussain was shot. He managed to transport himself to the hospital, where he underwent life-saving surgery. The victim continues to suffer from mobility and mental health issues, with the bullet remaining lodged in his body more than two years after the incident.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
Solomon was cleared of attempted murder and wounding with intent. However, he was found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life at Birmingham Crown Court on February 27, 2026. Judge Paul Farrer KC described Solomon as a “danger to the public and anyone who crosses him.”
The prosecution argued that Solomon deliberately shot Hussain, while the defense maintained that the shooting occurred during a struggle over the gun. The jury accepted the defense’s account, finding that the gun discharged during a struggle when Hussain’s passenger grabbed Solomon’s arm.
Solomon’s Criminal History
Solomon has a history of criminal offenses, with 40 prior convictions dating back to age 14, including three previous offenses involving firearms. He has similarly been the subject of multiple “Wanted” appeals issued by West Midlands Police. The judge noted Solomon’s “determination to possess firearms and ammunition over the last 25 years” and assessed him as presenting a “very high risk of serious harm to the public.”
Defense Arguments
Gwynn Price Rowlands, defending Solomon, argued that his client did not intend to shoot Hussain and had accompanied a woman to the drug deal who was a vulnerable drug user being exploited by dealers. The defense suggested the dispute arose from a relationship between the woman and someone in Hussain’s car.
Arrest and Evidence
Police arrested Solomon at his address on Hamstead Road three days after the shooting. He attempted to escape through a ground-floor window and discarded the loaded gun in the garden, where it was recovered.
Keep reading