Police are on the hunt for the group of men
Police are hunting a group of men who violently attacked a doorman in the early hours of Christmas Day after refusing them entry to a club.
West Midlands Police say the victim was attacked with a machete and had what appeared to be a gun pointed at him and the trigger pulled.
Officers said a group of men were prevented from entering Rock Zombie in Dudley at around 1.20am due to their intoxicated and aggressive state.
Three men from the group returned an hour later in a silver Vauxhall Astra and police said one man produced what appeared to be a firearm, chased a doorman and pulled the trigger.
Another of the group had a large machete and struck the doorman twice hitting him so hard the weapon broke, police said.
The 25-year-old victim was fearful for his life but unhurt.
Detective Constable Pete Miller, from West Midlands Police CID, said: "Luckily the doorman's body armour saved him from serious injury and the offenders left the scene in the Astra in the direction of Dudley bus station but the intention was clearly to cause extremely serious injury.
"There were a large number of innocent members of the public out celebrating Christmas, either passing by, queuing to enter the club or already inside who will have witnessed this and may have been afraid for their own safety.
"Rock Zombie is a reputable club. The doormen are there to protect the revellers and to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe night out.
"It is unacceptable that when they are simply doing their job and refuse admission to people who are too drunk that these people should react so disproportionately. It is by sheer good luck that no serious injury was caused to anyone."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.