Murdered dad shot and doused in acid and alkaline in 'botched bid to destroy evidence'

A dad who was shot and was found dumped in a street had been doused in an acid and an alkali, police confirmed.

Liam Smith, 38, was shot dead outside of his home in Shevington, Wigan, at about 7pm on 24 November.

Detectives at Greater Manchester Police said today that the dad-of-two was doused in an alkaline and acidic substances.

Police are now investigating whether the combination was a 'personal' attempt to destroy evidence or part of the attack, as the substances found were at opposite ends of the pH scale.

Mr Smith was attacked on the pavement by a gunman who had arrived in a vehicle, and the murderer pounced moments after his victim had walked out of his home.

Liam Smith's body was found on Kilburn Drive in the Shevington area (MEN Media)

His body then lay on the pavement between houses - which leads to a dirt track and open fields - for 15 minutes before it was discovered covered in a white powder by a passer-by.

Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand, who is heading the investigation, said Mr Smith was shot once and was then doused in the chemical mix.

Meanwhile, police have uncovered CCTV of the suspected gunman arriving and then leaving in a vehicle, but not of the shooting itself.

But the gun has not yet been found.

Tributes have been paid to a ex-soldier who was killed in an horrific gun-and-acid attack near his village home (MEN Media)

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."

And when questioned if it had been an amateurish use of the chemicals, the officer said 'possibly'.

Mr Smith was described by his family as the 'most devoted dad' (MEN Media)

DCI Brennand continued: "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 Mr Smith: "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."

The detective has now urged for the public to come forward with any information, adding: "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.

The body was found on a patch of rough ground between houses which leads to a dirt track and open fields (MEN Media)

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."

Mr Smith, an electrician 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.

Any information can be given to police 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.