CCTV shows horrifying moment gunman shoots suspected drug rival in the chest at point blank range
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A drug dealer who shot a suspected rival in the chest at point blank range has been jailed for 25 years.
Incredibly the victim survived after a bullet fired by Chad Greatbatch passed through his chest before lodging under skin on his neck.
Shocking CCTV footage showed the 27-year-old being shot through a car window at car park in Birmingham last July.
When he was arrested four days after the shooting, Greatbatch, 21, was found with a revolver in his car.
He had also used his phone to search where to get his hands on guns, investigators found.
(Image: West Midlands Police)
(Image: West Midlands Police)
The gunman shot the man in a suspected territory dispute on July 10 last year, and was located after police used facial mapping technology to trace him from CCTV images.
The shooting happened as the man sat in a parked car in Selly Oak.
Greatbatch fled the scene, but was arrested by West Midlands Police in Edgbaston.
Doctors said the victim was lucky to be alive after the bullet hit him in the shoulder, travelling through his chest before lodging in his neck.
(Image: West Midlands Police)
Greatbatch had already been handed a six-and-a-half year jail sentence in September last year for possessing a firearm and drugs supply, but detectives were not able to irrefutably show he was the gunman.
However, detectives used facial mapping to show a strong likeness between Greatbatch and the man caught on camera firing the 9mm pistol – and examination of his phone revealed internet searches to source handguns.
Mapping technology also suggested that a car seized from Greatbatch was the same one used to commit the offence.
He initially denied attempted murder but went on to enter a guilty plea, and was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court today.
(Image: West Midlands Police)
The 25 year sentence will run consecutively to his current jail term, which means he faces more than 30 years behind bars.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Gareth Johnson, said: “The motive for the shooting is not exactly clear – but it was a targeted attack understood to be connected to drug dealing.
“What is for certain is that the victim had a near miraculous escape: the bullet travelled through his chest yet he managed to get out of the car and run for help.
“Despite coming close to being killed, the victim refused to co-operate with the enquiry – but just because a victim won’t talk to us does not mean we can’t push for a prosecution and conviction.
“We had Greatbatch in police custody just a few days after the shooting and he has now been taken out of society for a very long time and no longer poses a danger.
“Facial mapping is just one of the tools available to detectives these days and is helping us achieve convictions against dangerous offenders and make sure they can’t evade justice.”
Greatbatch has been linked to gang activity in Birmingham, and Detective Chief Inspector Nick Dale said the net is closing in on people linked to organised crime in the south of the city.
He said: “There’s been a series of high-profile incidents this year that have understandably caused concern in the community. It is unacceptable people are being made to feel fearful in their communities…we understand those concerns and have taken action.
“Our enquiries have identified a number of people we suspect are aligning themselves with gangs…rest assured we will be taking strong action against these individuals that could see them put before the courts and potentially jailed.
“The public are our eyes and ears on the ground; if you suspect anyone is involved in gang related crime or anti-social behaviour then please contact us in confidence so we can take action.”