The barbaric murder of a ‘much-loved family man’ has left neighbours in a quiet, peaceful corner of Wigan in shock.
Liam Smith was found dead in the street on Kilburn Drive, in Shevington, on Thursday (November 24) evening. He was 38-years-old.
Initial investigations show that Liam was fatally shot dead and had been the victim of an acid attack. The murder is the first fatal shooting in Greater Manchester for two years and has sparked an intense manhunt for his killer, GMP says.
It has also frightened and shocked the residents of Kilburn Drive. Many of them are elderly, and most chose to move to the area because ‘nothing happens here’.
Lisa Lomax, 52, is one of those. She’s called her bungalow on the cul-de-sac home for 24 years and says she is one of the newer neighbours on the block.
“It was very shocking,” she said. “It’s quite an old community here, nothing happens here. I leave my door unlocked sometimes, that’s the kind of area we’re in. It’s a nice place to bring a family up. It’s safe and secure, and this is very out of the ordinary.
“What’s happened is sad, but who knows what goes on with other people’s lives? Friday was odd because we could not go out, it’s once in a lifetime stuff. I hope it never happens again.”
Margaret O’Hagan lives just over the road from Lisa, in a near-identical bungalow which this street is littered with. It was built in the mid-60s, and Ms O’Hagan is the first — and only — owner.
“We’re all worried, obviously,” she said. “It’s sad."
Pamela Walton, living in her property for 54 years, was fenced in by the cordon. “It was a shock,” she told the Manchester Evening News.
“Nobody could come and see me. My friend across the road got me a bit of shopping to give to the police to give to me.
“I was upset. I did not know him personally but I had spoken to him and he was nice, a family man.”
Another woman, who asked to stay anonymous, said: “It’s awful. We’ve never had anything like this in my 40-odd years here.”
The shock from residents has only been matched by GMP’s determination to locate those responsible, Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand said. The DCI, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, who is leading this investigation said: “This is a shocking murder of a much-loved family man.
“I have a team of detectives working around the clock and I urge anyone who has seen anything unusual or out of the ordinary near to the victim’s home during the day and early evening of Thursday 24 November to contact the Major Incident Room. This is the first fatal shooting in the Greater Manchester area for over two years and we are determined to recover the weapon and find Liam’s killer.”
Paying tribute to him, Mr Smith's family said in a brief statement on Saturday: "Liam was kind hearted, funny, the life and soul of the party. He was the most devoted dad, much loved son, brother, grandson and uncle. He will sorely be missed by all who knew and loved him."
And hundreds of people paid tribute to Mr Smith on GMP's public Facebook page.
Heidi Bradley wrote: "RIP Liam.. from you being a little 4 year old kicking about with my brother and us at school, game days, coming in our Grandad’s shop, and town drinks! Thinking of your family and boys.. rest in peace matey xxx."
Nicole Farrell said: "I'm in total shock, this is such sad news. Thinking of your family and my heart goes out to your boys. I hope your family find the strengh. R.I.P Liam."
Paul Horrocks wrote: "A lovely lad he worked for me before he went in the armed forces. God bless you and your family."
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