A 19-year-old man has been shot in the back in what police are treating as an attempted murder.

The victim was hit once by an assailant wearing a motorcyle helmet in what is thought to be a targeted attack, West Midlands Police said.

Detectives believe two rounds were fired during the incident which happened as the man walked along Bullock Street in the Nechells area of Birmingham at about 3.30pm on Wednesday.

A major investigation has been launched into the attack (Joe Giddens/PA)
A major investigation has been launched (Joe Giddens/PA)

The attacker is then thought to have got on a waiting moped and been driven away at speed by a second person.

The injured man’s wound is serious but not life-threatening and he remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

A major investigation has now been launched, and police are keen to trace the getaway vehicle which has been described as “mainly silver” in colour.

CCTV is also being gathered and witnesses spoken to.

Detective Inspector Richard Marsh, who is leading the investigation, said: “At this stage, we believe it was a targeted attack.

“There were a lot of people in the area at the time and we urgently need to hear from anyone who saw what happened, or the moped or scooter that was used by the gunman to get away from the scene.”