A man is fighting for his life in hospital after reports of gunshots being fired in Cheetham Hill on Wednesday night (June 21).
Emergency services were called to the 'targeted attack' on Ermington Drive in Cheetham Hill shortly before 12am after receiving multiple reports of gunshots.
Officers found a 'young man', aged in his 20s, unconscious in the street who sustained a serious head injury. Paramedics raced him to hospital from the scene with life-threatening injuries with efforts ongoing to find the offenders.
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A scene remained in place on Ermington Drive overnight and throughout the day on Thursday (June 22) as investigations into the attack continue. An increased police presence will remain in the area over the next few days.
Detectives are now appealing for witnesses who were in the vicinity of Ermington Drive or anyone who may have any CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage, to come forward.
DCI Nicola McCulloch of GMP’s Major Incident Team, who is leading the investigation said: “Firstly, I want to address the communities who are living and working within the area and to reassure you that our primary aim is to protect you.
“We appreciate how concerned you must be but we can reassure you that this was a targeted attack, albeit one which has left a young man with extremely serious injuries.
“Firearms discharges within Greater Manchester will not be tolerated and as such, we are working round the clock to locate and lock up the offender(s) responsible for this shooting.
"You will notice an increased police presence in the area in the coming days and if you have any information at all that may be able to assist us, I urge you to go and speak to one of the officers, who are there to listen."
The scene is on a cul-de-sac close to the former Dover Castle pub in front of a housing estate and a flat complex. Forensic investigators in white suits were present on Thursday evening.
Evidence markers, meanwhile, could be seen being put down on a side street. Residents living on Ermington Drive were allowed to come and go but the cordon remained in place, with police officers stood guard.
The area borders Baycliffe Walk, Camdale Walk and Kenford Walk.
One woman who said she lived nearby said she heard ‘running and shouting’ at the time but that she didn’t know whether it was linked to the shooting or not. Another resident, a man who wouldn’t give his name, said: “I heard the police coming and they were still here in the morning, but we didn’t know what happened.
“There are a lot of kids out here on the streets - they are always riding around. It is a shock to hear someone has been shot and I hope they recover.”
Another man told how he hears youngsters ‘shouting and swearing’ on the streets. He said: “It could be drugs - I do see some things as I walk. I try to keep away from it all.”
The man went on to claim police were called to the same area ‘two or three weeks ago’ but said he didn’t know what had happened.
Anyone with footage or who witnessed the incident is asked to contact police on 0161 856 0110, via 101 or through the independent charity – Crimestoppers – anonymously on 0800 555 111.
