Shootings suspect may have fled country

The hunt goes on for the girls' killers

Police investigating the murder of two teenage girls believe one of the men wanted in connection with the shootings may have fled the country.

The officer leading the double murder hunt in Birmingham said the net was closing on the killers - who are believed to belong to a gang which opened fire on rival criminals.

Detective Superintendent Dave Mirfield, of West Midlands Police, was speaking one month after art students Charlene Ellis, 18, and Letisha Shakespeare, 17, were gunned down outside a hairdressing salon in Aston.

The officer said he had received unconfirmed reports that one of the men he wanted to talk to may have gone abroad.

Identity change

Mr Mirfield added: "As the inquiry progresses and the days go by, it is my belief that we are getting closer and closer to those that have pulled the trigger."

But he admitted that, despite having interviewed 55 people present at the party, officers still needed crucial witnesses prepared to give evidence against the killers.

He revealed one witness had already been promised a complete identity change as part of the force's protection programme.

Mr Mirfield added there was concern that detectives could be left knowing who the killers were, but unable to prosecute them because of witnesses' reluctance to give evidence.

Gangs apart

"It is always a concern," he said. "But I passionately hope not.

"I think if there was ever a case where there has really been a line drawn in the sand, then this it.

"The pressure from the community as a whole is huge. We need now to take these gangs apart."

Charlene's twin sister Sophie - also an art student - and their cousin Cheryl Shaw, 17, were both injured during the same attack in the early hours of January 2.