A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two men were shot dead in Moss Side in 2020. Cheriff Tall, 21, and Abayomi 'Junior' Ajose, 36, were both gunned down in a car park in June that year. It followed an argument at a lockdown party.
Arrest and detention
The double fatal shooting happened shortly before 1am on June 21, 2020, at a party in a car park off Caythorpe Street in Moss Side. A gunman shot Mr Tall first, and 20 seconds later blasted 'Good Samaritan' Mr Ajose who had stepped in to help.
In a major update, police have revealed a 36-year-old man was detained in Turkey before being flown to Stansted Airport in London yesterday (October 10) where he was met by Greater Manchester Police officers.
Police statement
In a statement released today, GMP said: “The suspect - a man aged 36 – was detained in Turkey and was transported back to England on Saturday (10 October 2026), where he was met at Stansted Airport by Greater Manchester Police officers. He currently remains in custody.
“The arrest relates to the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Junior Ajose and 21-year-old Cheriff Tall, who were killed in the early hours of Sunday 21 June 2020 in a car park off Caythorpe Street, Moss Side.
“Despite six years passing, our commitment to finding who is responsible for Junior’s and Cheriff’s deaths has never wavered, and Saturday’s arrest marks a significant step in our efforts.
“It is still believed that key information remains within the community and we continue to urge witnesses to come forward. A £50,000 reward remains available for anyone who provides information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the murders of Junior and Cheriff.
“It is estimated that between 300 and 400 people were in the car park on the night of the shooting, many of whom were socialising and enjoying themselves. Our officers are still of the belief that some of these people hold crucial eyewitness accounts that could be significant in helping this investigation progress further.
“Over the course of the investigation, detectives have executed numerous warrants, arrested and questioned several individuals, and seized mobile phones and other items for detailed forensic examination.”
Investigation continues
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson, from GMP's Major Incident Team, said: “This arrest demonstrates our unwavering commitment to securing justice for Junior and Cheriff and their loved ones.
“Over the last six years, myself and my officers have been carrying out multiple warrants, analysing evidence, examining devices that have been seized during the investigation and pursuing every opportunity to identify those responsible.
“While this arrest marks a significant development in our investigation, our work is far from over. We continue to appeal for information that could help us establish the full circumstances of what happened that night and identify any outstanding suspects.
“We know that some people who were there that night have not yet spoken with us, and we want to take this opportunity to urge you to come forward and speak with us.
"The smallest piece of information could prove to be vital. Anyone who witnessed what happened, or who knows anything about those responsible, please do the right thing and come forward. The £50,000 reward remains in place, and all information we receive will be investigated thoroughly and treated with the respect that it deserves."
Police have previously offered a £50,000 reward for key information that leads to the discovery and conviction of the pair’s killer. About 400 people had attended the party but Greater Manchester Police said the force has faced 'reluctance' from those at the scene to come forward.
At an inquest in 2024, Manchester Area Coroner Zak Golombek, recording unlawful killing verdicts, appealed for witnesses to come forward to help bring justice to the families and said: "These were senseless acts of violence against two innocent individuals."
