A dad who was shot dead outside his home and covered in acid may have been a botched attempt to destroy evidence, according to detectives.
Liam Smith, a 38-year-old dad-of-two, was shot and doused in chemicals outside his home in Shevington, Wigan, on November 24. The body lay on the pavement for 15 minutes before it was discovered covered in a white powder by a passer-by.
The detective leading investigation told the Manchester Evening News two chemicals were used in the attack, one acid and the other alkaline. Police suspect the use of the chemicals suggests the attack was "personal" or an attempt to destroy evidence.
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Liam was attacked on the pavement by a gunman who had arrived in a vehicle - the murderer pounced moments after his victim had walked out of his home on Kilburn Drive. Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand, who is heading the investigation, said the dad was shot once.
Police have uncovered CCTV of the gunman arriving and then leaving in a vehicle, but not of the shooting itself. The gun has not yet been found.
Asked why Liam had been attacked in this way, DCI Brennand said: "There are a number of different hypotheses. Is it to reduce forensic recovery or is it to send a message? It's unusual. We see acid attacks but to see an acid attack combined with an alkaline attack is unusual."
The two chemicals are at the opposite ends of the PH scale and when they combine they "neutralise each other and don't have the same impact", said the officer.
Asked if it had been an amateurish use of the chemicals, the officer said "possibly".
DCI Brennand said: "With any murder investigation, my focus is always on the family and the bereaved and to provide that community reassurance around the fact we have a large, experienced team of detectives investigating this and we're throwing everything at it."
She said of Liam: "He was a well-liked family man. He doted on his boys and was very close to his family. He was hard-working and charitable and loving."
Appealing to the public to come forward with any information, the detective said: "This is a father with two young boys who have lost their dad. Absolutely we need to get to who's done this. The brazen nature of it makes it particularly compelling. I'm working for that family and for those children and for the bereaved, and to get the gunman off the streets."
Detectives are awaiting the results of scientific analysis to understand whether the chemical attack came before or after the fatal shooting, and also to understand whether the chemicals were administered separately or together.
Mr Smith, an electrician and former soldier, was a director of LPS Electrical and Build Ltd which went into liquidation earlier this year. According to Companies House, LPS Electrical and Build Ltd appointed a liquidator on May 25. Mr Smith remained the company's sole director.
Paying tribute to him, Mr Smith's family said in a brief statement released after the murder: "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."
Any information can be given to GMP via the LiveChat function on gmp.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 910 of November 25, 2022. Information can also be given to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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