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Detectives from the West Midlands Homicide Unit are pivoting their investigation toward high-definition digital tracking following the tragic killing of 18-year-old Zeshan Afzal outside the Jamia Masjid on Oldbury Road. The latest intelligence from the scene indicates that while the physical police cordon has now been lifted, the investigation has shifted into an intensive digital forensic phase. Forensic specialists are currently scrubbing hours of dashcam and doorbell footage recovered from the Oldbury Road corridor, seeking to identify the occupants of specific vehicles seen fleeing the vicinity immediately after the 9:00 PM disorder on Friday, February 20.
Surveillance Breakthrough and Suspect Profiles
Despite the high-profile nature of the triple stabbing, no arrests have been confirmed as of Monday, February 23. However, senior investigators have indicated that the "clean" images being processed are helping to build a profile of the attackers. The Homicide Unit is specifically looking for individuals who may have been waiting in the area prior to the end of evening prayers, suggesting the possibility of a premeditated encounter rather than a random attack. The two survivors, aged 19 and 22, remain in stable condition and are providing vital descriptions that detectives are now cross-referencing with local intelligence reports to prevent suspects from leaving the West Midlands region.
Post-Mortem and Janaza Procedural Status
The local community remains in a state of mourning as the mandatory forensic post-mortem examination is finalized to provide the definitive evidence required for a murder prosecution. This legal necessity has dictated the timeline for Zeshan’s Janaza, which cannot proceed until the coroner formally releases the body to the Afzal family. Community leaders at the Jamia Masjid have signaled that while preparations for the funeral rites are underway, no official time will be set until the Home Office pathologist completes the secondary review. The family continues to urge the public to wait for an official announcement via mosque channels rather than congregating at their private residence.
Investigation Trajectory and Community Impact
West Midlands Police have reaffirmed that there is currently no evidence to suggest a racial or religious motive, despite the location of the incident during the holy month of Ramadan. Instead, the investigation is narrowing its focus on localized disputes that may have escalated into the "violent disorder" cited by officials. Extra patrols remain active throughout Smethwick to maintain public order and gather "soft" intelligence from residents. Authorities have issued a fresh mandate for any residents with "unseen" footage from Friday night to upload it directly to the Major Incident Public Portal, emphasizing that even the smallest background detail could be the key to breaking the current stalemate.
Read more: Zeshan Afzal Murder: No Arrests Nearly 48 Hours After Smethwick Mosque Stabbing
The killing of a teenager in the heart of the community has sparked an urgent conversation regarding youth safety, yet the immediate priority remains the capture of those responsible. As the 72-hour mark passes, the pressure on the Homicide Unit to announce the first round of detentions continues to mount, with local leaders calling for swift justice to restore peace to the Oldbury Road area.
West Midlands Police are urgently seeking dashcam footage from Oldbury Road between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM on February 20.
