Dovecote Pub, Birmingham
Armed police were called to the Dovecote Pub after a man was shot dead. .

Police have launched a murder hunt after a gunman walked into a Birmingham pub in broad daylight and opened fire, killing another man.

The shooting happened at around 5.45pm on Friday at the Dovecote pub in Cockshut Hill. Armed police were called to the scene, and police later released a video appeal for witnesses.

Chief Superintendent Alex Murray said: "We believe this may have been a targeted attack which happened in a busy pub in broad daylight this afternoon.

"At this stage we do not believe this is connected with any other incident. Local officers are at the scene and are being supported by armed police.

"This would have been a shocking incident for witnesses and will have a huge impact on the local community. Detectives from Force CID are undertaking enquiries at the scene.

"I want to reassure residents we are working hard to find the person responsible for this attack and are following a number of lines of enquiry at this early stage."

The man has been identified and his next of kin have been informed. Police have not released the victim's name, but he has been named locally as Marlon O'Reilly.

No arrests had been made last night and no weapon had been found. The motive for the attack remains unclear.

A large area surrounding the pub was cordoned off as forensic evidence was collected and officers conducted door-to-door enquiries.

In October 2010, police were called to the same pub after an armed gang burst in and stole cash from the till and jewellery from drinkers.

A local resident and community worker, who asked not to be named, said the pub should have been shut down after previous incidents of trouble.

"It's a really rough pub and it should be closed down," she told the Birmingham Mail. "There's all sorts going on there, always trouble. It's right opposite a school as well."

A spokesman for the Stonegate Pub Company, which runs the Dovecote, said no staff had been hurt in the incident.

A statement read: "We confirm an incident took place at the Dovecote, Birmingham. This is currently being investigated by the police and we are assisting them with their enquiries.

"The pub is currently closed and will remain so while the investigation continues."

Speaking at the scene, Chief Superintendent Murray told ITV News: "There were reports of shots being fired in the pub.

"Officers attended the pub and found a man who had been shot. First aid was administered, paramedics were in attendance and our firearms officers came.

"Unfortunately that man has now died. Because of that, our sincerest sympathies go out to his friends and his family."

He also appealed directly to locals in what is a busy residential area to come forward with information.

'We appeal to anyone who has seen something, you might have seen something suspicious, you might have seen someone driving off, you might have seen someone running off ,' he said.

'Every single piece of information is really important to help us catch this killer.'

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.