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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Sophie Halle-Richards & Ramazani Mwamba

Shooter remains at large and multiple police cordons in place after two men gunned down

A shooter remains at large after two men were gunned down in Wigan last night.

Two separate police scenes were in place in the town on Wednesday evening (January 26) after reports of a double shooting.

Emergency services were first called to Hawthorne Grove in Leigh at around 5.45pm and found there had been a firearms discharge.

READ MORE: Two men rushed to hospital after shooting in Leigh

A short time later, officers received reports of a second shooting on Shadwell Grove - one mile away.

Detectives say they believe the two incidents could be linked.

Police have confirmed that two men, one in his 30s and the other in his 20s, were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.

A police cordon on Hawthorne Grove on Wednesday night (Manchester Evening News)

More information about the extent of their injuries is not yet known.

No arrests have been made and it is understood that the shooter/s remain at large.

Greater Manchester Police said in an update this morning that enquiries remain "ongoing."

A number of cordons currently remain in place in the surrounding areas as police continue their investigations.

Police say they will leave 'no stone unturned' as they try to trace down who is responsible.

Patrols were also increased in the area to reassure residents who have been left concerned by the incident.

People living nearby spoke to the Manchester Evening News and Raised concerns that the shootings had occurred on their doorsteps.

One person said: "I've seen the rumours about what's happened. I live here with my kids it's not good to see this at all."

Police on Hawthorne Grove in Leigh (Manchester Evening News)

Another living on Tennyson Avenue, which adjoins Shadwell Grove, added: "There were a lot of police cars and a helicopter flying around just after 6pm.

"My family and all the neighbours were very worried at seeing the number of police in the area.

"The fact there is more than one large cordon means it seems really serious."

In a statement released last night, Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels said: "We are in the very early stages of our investigation into these incidents but we believe they could be linked.

"We have officers in Leigh carrying out extensive enquiries to establish exactly what has happened.

"Two people are in hospital with gun-shot wounds and I can assure people that we will leave no stone unturned as we work to find out who is responsible.

"We understand the community will be concerned and, as such, we have deployed extra patrols to reassure them.

"If you have information that could help us with our investigation, please come forward. Anything said can be done so in confidence or anonymously."

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9101 or 0943 quoting 2599 26/01/22 or the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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