Browse Sections

• Education
• James Chapman-Kelly
• Neil Roland
• Mancunian candidate
• Special reports

Teens gunned down at bookies at critically ill

31/ 1/2008

ARMED police officers went on patrol on the streets of South Manchester this week following a gangland-style double shooting.

Two young men, 16 and 18, underwent lifesaving surgery after they were shot as they stood with friends in a betting shop in Withington. They were still both critically ill in hospital as the Reporter went to press following the shooting on Tuesday, January 29.

Both victims are understood to be known to the police and detectives are investigating whether it was a gangland shooting.

Police said it was too early to say whether the latest shooting was connected to a previous shooting at virtually the same spot the previous Friday night. In that incident no one was injured.

Now a senior police officer has appealed for witnesses too terrified to come forward to reconsider and help put the gunmen behind bars.

And he pledged to put more cops, including armed officers, on the streets to reassure the public.

The latest drama started when five teenagers, including the two victims, were inside William Hill betting shop on Mauldeth Road West just before 9pm.

Two gunmen approached and fired inside the premises, hitting two of the teenagers.

The 16-year-old, who suffered gunshot wounds to his chest, shoulder and leg, was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital.

The older victim, who suffered gunshot wounds to his stomach and torso, later turned up at Manchester Royal Infirmary, where police believe he had been taken by friends.

Mrs Violet Sheridan, 68, who lives on Mauldeth Road West, says she heard the shots on Tuesday.

She said: "I was just seeing my son out the door and as I turned round I heard five loud bangs.

"I thought it might be a car backfiring, but it was very loud and very quick, and then I heard a screeching sound."

Mrs Sheridan, who lives with husband Charlie, said she didn’t see anything, but said: "I heard after that people had been shot and it’s very scary."

Graham Aspa, from Mauldeth Road Insurance Services, says he arrived at work the following morning to find the area cordoned off by police.

He said: "I was really shocked, it’s a horrible thing to happen round here."

Chief Superintendent David Anthony, Commander of the South Manchester Police Division, revealed additional police patrols backed up by armed officers had been moved into the area to reassure the public and prevent tit-for-tat shootings.

Appealing directly to young witnesses, who had been inside the betting shop and are too frightened to come forward, he added: "I would appeal to them to come forward. I can understand their reluctance having seen such a traumatic incident but without their evidence and help we cannot catch the people responsible and put them in prison."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 8566153.

Click on the video window for Channel M's report ...