Man shot outside Birmingham's Rainbow Warehouse nightclub Published duration 11 August 2013

image caption Forensics officers remain at the scene searching the club

A man has suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting outside a Birmingham nightclub.

The 35-year-old was shot in the abdomen outside the Rainbow Warehouse in Digbeth's High Street at about 23:45 BST on Saturday.

Police said they believed it had been a targeted attack and the gunman escaped on foot.

Roads in the surrounding area remain shut and forensic teams are still at the venue.

The victim was given first aid at the scene and taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition, according to West Midlands Police.

Officers said the man's family had been informed.

Motive 'unclear'

The venue had been hosting a two-day festival called Circoloco, described on its website as "featuring house and techno sets".

Det Insp Justin Spanner said the shooting "must have been very frightening for clubbers to witness" but the motive was unclear.

He urged anyone who had been in the area at the time to contact police.

"We've been working hard to reduce gun crime across the region but crimes like this - no matter how rare they are - tarnish Birmingham's reputation as a great place to enjoy a fantastic night out," he added.

Adderley Street and surrounding roads are closed while searches are carried out by specialist officers.

The force said it expected the roads to remain closed "for some time" and urged drivers and pedestrians to avoid the area.

Amy Robbins, who works in a shop next to the venue, said: "At the moment there are police vans everywhere and a large cordon outside.

"They're not letting anyone past and we haven't been told anything about what's going on."

She said the venue usually held weekly events but that Circoloco was its biggest event of the year. The Circoloco club night plays in numerous venues around the world, including in Australia and Ibiza.

Ms Robbins said the venue had rented out a large car park under some arches for the event.