A cannabis factory raid ended with two men killed in the stomach with a crossbow,
Khuzaimah Douglas, 19, and 36-year-old Waseem Ramzan died after robbers targeted a property in Pensnett Road in the early hours of Thursday, February 20.
An inquest into their deaths was opened at Black Country Coroner’s Court in Oldbury on Wednesday, February 26.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro, from West Midlands Police’s homicide unit, told the hearing a gang of approximately nine people tried to gain access to the rear of a property on Pensnett Road – where a “large number of cannabis plants were growing” – at around 3.30am.
He said the occupants of a house next door had come out to confront the group.
“A crossbow was discharged on two occasions,” he continued.
“One fatally wounded Mr Douglas and another fatally wounded Mr Ramzan.”
The inquest was told Mr Ramzan, who lived in Pensnett Road, was taken to Dudley’s Russells Hall Hospital by a family member, where he later died.
Mr Douglas, of Ernest Road, Moseley, was pronounced dead in nearby Wilson Road, where he had collapsed.
Both men died as a result of a “penetrating abdominal wound”, the detective said.
A number of arrests had been made as part of the “fast moving investigation”.
Omar Ramzan, 23, of Pensnett Road, Brierley Hill, arrested and charged with the two murders on Monday 24 February.
His father, 46-year-old Saghawat Ramzan, is currently remanded in prison having already been charged with the murders.
A 21-year-old man was arrested after a VW Sirocco was stopped in North Place, Dudley. He is now in police custody for questioning about the cannabis farm robbery.
Officers also arrested a 23-year-old man from Weoley Castle on Tuesday, February 25 on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and he remains in police custody.
A 32-year-old man from Brierley Hill who was arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender has been bailed while enquiries progress, while a 19-year-old man has been charged with conspiracy to burgle and perverting the course of justice. He’s now in prison on remand.
Two other men – aged 21 and 23 – had previously been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and a 42-year-old for assisting an offender. They have all been released on police bail.
Touching tributes were paid to both men.
A statement released by Mr Ramzan’s family said: “This is a really difficult time for the family and friends of Waseem Ramzan.
“We would appreciate if you could all remember him in your prayers and if possible give to charity in his name.
“To God we belong and to God we shall return.”
The boxing community also paid tribute to Mr Douglas, who was an international kickboxing star, describing him as a “kind, considerate, extremely talented” athlete.
A post on USKA’s Facebook site said: “We received the unthinkable news that we had lost one of our members, our fighters, our friends and our family at the USKA gym.
“Our beloved brother Khuzaimah Douglas passed away and we all feel absolutely devastated and heartbroken following the news.
“Khuzaimah was a kind, considerate, extremely talented and humble young man who everyone had a connection with, an older brother to the USKA kids and a younger brother to all the seniors.
“To see the effect that this has had on each and every member at the gym last night was truly heartbreaking.
“I can only imagine what his family are going through right now having to process the situation and come to terms with their unimaginable loss.”
