Police hunt doctor's 'assassin'

Mr Yadev was shot as he left his consultancy

Police have launched a murder inquiry after a Wolverhampton homeopathic consultant was shot in an "assassination style" killing near a busy supermarket.

A lone gunman is believed to have approached Baldev Khrisan Yadev and shot him in the head as he left the Midlands Homeopathic Consultancy on Friday night.

A number of people rushed to Mr Yadev's aid, but were unable to save his life.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Unwin, of West Midlands Police, said the style of the killing meant it would be a difficult inquiry.

We have an unknown assailant and an unknown reason

DCI Dave Unwin

"The manner of the death suggests an assassination, rather than a robbery motive," he said.

"He was approached by a male who fired one shot at him and hit him in the head.

"There is some debate about how many shots were fired but as Mr Yadev fell down, the man bent over him and another shot was discharged."

He said there may have been three shots discharged in total.

Waiting gunman

Mr Yadev, 55, ran his consultancy from first floor offices and is believed to have helped out in an immigration service shop below.

Mr Unwin said officers would be speaking to Mr Yadev's patients and shoppers who were in and around the Aldi supermarket car park at the time of the shooting.

He said the gunman may have been waiting for Mr Yadev to leave the premises at about 1840GMT and shot him from the front at close-range.

The killer was of medium build, wearing dark clothing and possibly had his face covered.

Police are hoping to find clues by examining CCTV footage.

Friend of the victim, Harmanjit Bains, 45, said Mr Yadev did a lot for the local community.

"I can't think of any reason why anyone would want to kill him," he said.

Routine

Shopkeeper Rash Vinder Sandhu, 47, whose supermarket is next door to Mr Yadev's rented offices, said he was shocked by the shooting.

"We are devastated that such a thing could happen right on our doorstep," he said.

"I can't believe it could happen at 7.45pm in a well-lit busy area."

He said Mr Yadev had a regular routine and normally parked his red Volkswagen car in the Aldi supermarket car park.

A sign above Mr Yadev's practice offered "complementary medicine without ill effects" treating conditions such as eczema, gout, heart affections, hair loss, diabetes and sterility.

Neighbouring stores also said he conducted palmistry and another sign in the window promised: "I will read your entire life".