A woman shot dead outside a city bar was an ‘innocent bystander’ caught in the midst of what’s believed to be a gangland hit on a night out celebrating the bank holiday.
Police were called to One Four One bar in West Street, Sheffield city centre, after reports of a shooting in the early hours of Monday.
30-year-old Shanice Brookes was found with serious injuries and later died in the hospital. She leaves behind a son.
Two 30-year-old men and a 32-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody for questioning.
The Daily Mail reported that Shanice was sitting near the target of the shooting, believed to be a gang member, but was hit by crossfire.
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One relative said: ‘Shanice was an innocent woman – she leaves behind a little boy. We are devastated.’
Her family said Shanice was completing a university degree and worked for a local charity.
They said in a statement: ‘She could light up every room she walked into with her infectious laugh, beautiful soul and magical aura.
‘Shanice made people feel loved, safe and valued simply by being herself.
‘She was truly one of a kind and she will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know and love her.’
Chief Superintendent Jamie Henderson said: ‘Following extensive enquiries over the last 36 hours, we believe the victim was an innocent bystander who was on a night out in our city to celebrate the bank holiday weekend.’
Chief Superintendent Henderson is now appealing for help from the public, especially anyone who was out on the bank holiday Monday in the area.
‘We know that West Street and Eldon Street were both busy at the time of this incident, and there were people who saw what happened who haven’t come forward yet,’ he said.
‘If you were out in Sheffield in the early hours of Monday morning, please take a look at our website or Facebook page and report anything you saw to us.
‘We also know there are others within our communities who know who is responsible or who is involved in gun crime but feel too scared to tell us what they know.’
Anyone with any information is urged to contact the police or report anonymously via Crimestoppers.
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