A 16-year-old boy remains in critical condition in a Sheffield hospital after being shot point-blank on a quiet stretch of London Road on Thursday, November 24, 2025 — a violent act that has sent shockwaves through the city and triggered a multi-jurisdictional manhunt. Just five days later, Tanzir Ali, 26, of Glencoe Road, Sheffield, was arrested in Aberdeen, Scotland, and charged with attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. His accomplice, Sharna Osborne, 23, of Greenhill Road, Sheffield, was taken into custody at the same time and faces charges of assisting an offender. Both appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and were remanded into custody until their next hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, December 19, 2025.
What Happened on London Road?
The shooting unfolded around 6:30 p.m. on a residential stretch of London Road, just minutes after school let out. Witnesses described hearing two loud bangs — then silence. The 16-year-old victim collapsed near a bus stop, bleeding heavily. Bystanders called emergency services immediately. Paramedics arrived within eight minutes, but the boy’s injuries were severe: a single gunshot wound to the upper torso, likely fired from close range. He was rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where he remains on life support as of December 2, 2025.
Police say the attack wasn’t random. The victim, whose identity is protected, is known to local authorities but had no prior criminal record. Neighbors say he was quiet, kept to himself, and played football for a youth team in the Heeley area. The fact that he was targeted in broad daylight on a public street has raised alarms about escalating youth violence in the city.
Arrests in Aberdeen and the Long Reach of the Investigation
The breakthrough came when South Yorkshire Police, working with Police Scotland, traced mobile phone signals and CCTV footage to a vehicle seen fleeing toward the M1. That led investigators north — all the way to Aberdeen, where Ali and Osborne were spotted entering a rented flat on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Officers moved in without incident. Inside, they found a suppressed pistol wrapped in a towel, hidden beneath a floorboard — later confirmed as the weapon used in the shooting.
“This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment act,” said one senior investigator, speaking off-record. “They planned this. They fled. They tried to disappear. And they thought they could outrun us.”
Others Released on Bail — Who Are They?
While Ali and Osborne are behind bars, two other suspects remain free — for now. A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old boy, both from Sheffield, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. They were released on bail on December 1, 2025, with strict conditions: no contact with each other, no return to London Road, and daily check-ins with probation officers. The same day, a 40-year-old man from the Brightside area, initially detained for allegedly helping dispose of evidence, was also let go pending further inquiries.
Authorities believe the teenagers may have been the ones who lured the victim to the scene — possibly over a dispute involving a social media feud or a local gang conflict. But without forensic evidence tying them directly to the gun or the shooting, prosecutors aren’t ready to charge them yet. “We’re not closing any doors,” said a spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police. “This case is far from over.”
Why This Case Matters
Sheffield has seen a troubling rise in gun-related incidents over the past two years. In 2023, there were 12 firearm offences reported in the city; by 2024, that number jumped to 27. So far in 2025, there have been 19 — and this is the first attempted murder involving a minor victim. The fact that adults are allegedly using teens as pawns in violent schemes has drawn criticism from community leaders.
“These boys aren’t monsters,” said Reverend Denise Carter of St. Mary’s Church in Heeley. “They’re kids who’ve been sold a lie — that violence equals power. The real question is: who taught them that?”
The case also highlights the growing collaboration between regional police forces. The arrest in Aberdeen — nearly 200 miles from the crime scene — shows how digital footprints, license plate recognition, and shared intelligence databases are changing how crimes are solved. But it also raises questions: Why did it take five days to find them? And why weren’t they flagged earlier?
What’s Next?
On December 19, 2025, both Tanzir Ali and Sharna Osborne will face the Sheffield Crown Court for a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors are expected to seek a life sentence for Ali if convicted — the maximum for attempted murder with a firearm. Osborne could face up to 10 years for assisting an offender.
Meanwhile, the 16-year-old victim’s family has asked for privacy. A GoFundMe page set up by neighbors has raised over £23,000 to cover medical expenses and funeral costs — just in case. “We don’t know if he’ll wake up,” said one relative, tears in their eyes. “But we’re not giving up.”
The community is holding a vigil on December 7, 2025, at the site of the shooting. Organizers say it’s not just about mourning — it’s about demanding change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did police trace the suspects to Aberdeen?
Police used mobile phone location data, traffic camera footage, and a vehicle registration linked to Tanzir Ali to track his movements after the shooting. A rental car registered under a false name was spotted on the M1 near Leeds on November 25, then again near the A90 in Scotland on November 28. Police Scotland confirmed the vehicle’s final location in Aberdeen, leading to the arrest on November 29.
What are the charges against Tanzir Ali under UK law?
Ali faces two charges: attempted murder under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and possession of a firearm without a certificate under the Firearms Act 1968. The latter carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, but with attempted murder, judges can impose life imprisonment. The suppressed nature of the weapon may lead to enhanced sentencing under the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
Why were the teenagers released on bail instead of being charged?
While the teens are suspected of conspiracy to commit murder, prosecutors lack direct evidence linking them to the actual shooting — no fingerprints, no DNA on the weapon, no eyewitnesses placing them at the scene with guns. Bail allows police to continue gathering evidence while ensuring the suspects don’t flee. Their bail conditions are strict, including electronic monitoring.
Is this part of a larger pattern of youth violence in Sheffield?
Yes. Sheffield recorded 19 firearm offences in 2025 alone — up 78% from 2023. Most involve teenagers or young adults in disputes over social media, drug territory, or perceived disrespect. The city’s youth violence prevention unit has identified 12 high-risk groups, but funding cuts since 2020 have reduced outreach programs by 40%. This case has reignited calls for reinvestment in youth services.
What role did Sharna Osborne play in the crime?
Osborne is accused of helping Ali evade capture — possibly by providing him with a new phone, hiding the weapon, or arranging transport to Scotland. She’s not alleged to have fired the gun, but under UK law, aiding someone after a serious crime carries the same moral weight. Her phone records show multiple calls to Ali’s number in the hours after the shooting, and she was seen purchasing train tickets to Aberdeen on November 25.
What happens if the 16-year-old victim dies?
If the victim dies, the charge against Tanzir Ali will be upgraded from attempted murder to murder — a far more serious offense that carries an automatic life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years. The prosecution would also likely seek to charge the teenage suspects with murder as well, based on the legal principle of joint enterprise, even if they didn’t pull the trigger.