James Shaw, a 49-year-old resident of Huddersfield, has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after admitting his role in a 2018 shooting that mistakenly targeted the wrong victim. The sentencing took place at Leeds Crown Court on January 23, 2024, following Shaw’s guilty plea to conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

The incident, which unfolded on September 16, 2018, saw emergency services responding to Hammond Street around 18.15. The victim, a 16-year-old male, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries when suspects in a car pulled up alongside him and shot him in the back.

As investigations progressed, it became evident that the criminals had mistakenly identified the victim, thinking he was someone else. The motive behind the shooting was revealed to be retribution for a prior incident, leading to the innocent young man becoming an unintended target.

DCI Zaheer Abbas from the HMET investigation Team underscored the terrifying nature of the ordeal for the victim, who had no involvement in criminality or gangs. Abbas stated, “The streets of West Yorkshire belong to law-abiding citizens, not criminals, and I hope today’s sentence sends that message loud and clear.”

Highlighting the success of police efforts in reducing firearms-related incidents, Abbas pointed out that 2023 recorded the lowest number of firearms discharges in the force, with Kirklees experiencing a notable decline from 17 incidents in 2019 to 2 in 2023.

While Shaw was sentenced for his role, authorities believe he did not act alone, prompting an ongoing investigation. DCI Abbas urged individuals with information about other conspirators involved in the shooting to contact the police at 101, quoting reference number 13180462836.