Four men guilty of the murder of Anthony Sargeant in Birmingham shooting

Four men have been found guilty of the murder of Anthony Sargeant today (Wednesday, 6 July).

Sargeant, 33, had been talking to a friend in Rickman Street in Birmingham city centre, when a BMW and Mercedes pulled up and two shots were fired at around 9.40pm on 25 August, 2018.

Mr Sargeant was hit once in the back, and died in hospital from his injuries six days later. The killers sped off in the stolen cars.

Painstaking recovery of CCTV and mobile phone traffic linked the defendants to the cars in the build-up to and aftermath of the killing. Brothers Michael and Connor Goodwin, aged 26 and 27 and both of Wallace Road, Oldbury, Keenan Anderson, 25, of Albert Road, Handsworth, and Leon Riley, 22, of Bridgelands Way, Perry Barr, were all found guilty of murder today (6 July).

They will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court at a later date.

And as part of the investigation, detectives uncovered these images showing the four celebrating Connor Goodwin’s birthday on the afternoon of 26 August at a pub in Hockley, less than 24 hours after the shooting and while Mr Sargeant lay dying in hospital.

The gun was recovered during a police raid in Derbyshire in November, 2019.

Experts from the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) were able to prove it was the same weapon used to kill Mr Sargeant using unique markings on the weapon.

What has West Midlands Police said?

Det Insp Hannah Whitehouse, senior investigating officer, said: “We may never know why Mr Sargeant was murdered, but we have been able to prove that these men acted together, travelling in a convoy of two stolen cars across Birmingham to go to Rickman Drive, where Anthony Sargeant was shot.

“They have shown no remorse, denying the offence throughout.

This investigation has been highly complex and challenging and it shows that West Midlands Police will relentlessly pursue those responsible for using firearms on our streets.”

Family tribute

On Wednesday (6 July) Mr Sargeant’s family, said: “Almost four years ago, my son, our father, brother and uncle was murdered as he innocently walked down the road outside his mother’s home.

“Today after sitting through months of trial, we finally have justice for him although it will never be enough.

“However, we still have to live through a lifetime of pain and heartache of him being taken away from his family.

“Eight fatherless children now finding their way through life without their provider, teacher and superhero.

“Anthony was such a bubbly, energetic, witty soul and we will do everything to ensure he is not forgotten.

“Finally, we would like to thank West Midlands Police for bringing the case before Birmingham Crown Court and the Crown Prosecution service for their outstanding efforts within this case.”

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