Detectives are appealing for witnesses after shots were fired through the window of a vehicle in Oldham.
An investigation was launched on Friday night (8 July) after residents reported hearing a loud bang. A cordon was put in place on Broadbent Road as officers carried out their enquiries. Kingsland School, a pupil referral unit, was located within the cordon.
Initially, police found no evidence of a shooting, but following "extensive" CCTV enquires, GMP have confirmed that a shooting did take place just before 6pm. In a release they said a shotgun was fired during the incident.
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Early enquiries suggest that a man discharged the firearm twice into the driver's window of a vehicle before the offender and the victim made off from the scene.
Police have confirmed officers have since located the victim, a man in his 40s, safe and well. He does not wish to co-operate with the investigation, they said.
A section of Broadbent Road was taped off on Friday night, with officers stationed at the cordon. One local said: "I heard a bang, we thought it was car jumping to be honest. It was really loud."
Another said that a car was spotted 'driving away at speed'. She told the Manchester Evening News : "A car was seen driving off at speed. I was well scared. Was just getting my Friday night chippy and that happened.
"It was packed out as you can imagine when someone came in shouting about it then next minute all this commotion. It happened in a matter of seconds."
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Cottam, from GMP’s Oldham district, said: "This was clearly a distressing incident for those nearby who will no doubt have heard the noise from the incident where it’s believed a shot gun was used.
"Extensive enquiries were carried out following the first report and a discharge was confirmed to have taken place some time later.
"This is being treated as an isolated and deliberate incident and I would like to reassure residents that getting to the bottom of what happened remains an absolute priority with a number of lines of enquiry already being followed up.
"There’s no place for firearms on the streets of Greater Manchester and we have a number of officers and detectives in force working every day to bring those responsible for possessing, transferring or using firearms to justice.
"I would urge anyone with information, or anyone with dashcam footage or CCTV footage, to report it online or via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk or call 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
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