Police continue hunt for brother of New Year’s party shooting victim

DETECTIVES were yesterday continuing to hunt for the brother of one of two teenagers shot dead outside a New Year’s party.

Police are understood to be looking for Marcus Ellis, although it is not clear whether officers regard him as a witness or a suspect in the murders of 17-year-old Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis, 18.

It is believed the 23-year-old was a member of the Burger Bar Boys, one of the Birmingham-based gangs whose violent clash with rivals the Johnson Crew left the teenagers dead.

A police spokesman would not confirm the names of people police are seeking in connection with the shootings but it is understood they are keen to speak to Marcus Ellis.

Arthur Ellis, 42, the father of Marcus and Charlene, has appealed for his son to speak to detectives investigating the shooting, which happened in the early hours of January 2 at the back of a hairdresser’s salon in the city’s Aston district, where the party was taking place.

Charlene’s twin sister Sophie and a cousin, 17-year-old Cheryl Shaw, were wounded in the hail of more than 30 bullets after they, along with around 25 revellers, stepped outside the salon in Birchfield Road, Aston, for some fresh air.

Sophie is under armed guard while she recovers in hospital, while Cheryl was released after treatment.

Mr Ellis said Marcus was present during the shooting and had since

disappeared after they spoke by

telephone.

Police have been handed the names of some of those thought to be responsible for the killings.