Police are searching for a gunman after a man described as 'lovely' was shot on a residential street in Greater Manchester. The victim, a man in his 40s, was taken to hospital following the incident, but his injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
Incident Details
Officers were called to Kenwood Avenue in Leigh at approximately 11pm on Friday evening, where they discovered the man with gunshot wounds. The suspect fled the scene and remains at large.
Jim Kelly, a resident of the area for 40 years, was at home with his wife when they heard what sounded like a firework. 'Me and my wife were going to bed and I saw a lot of lights in the street. We looked out and saw ambulances and police cars and we saw the police running about, heard that somebody had been shot,' he said.
'We're good friends with the family and we've known them since they moved in, they're lovely. I've not a clue why this would happen to them. My wife heard what she thought was a firework but obviously it was a gunshot. She heard one bang about 10:45 and then a helicopter came. There must've been about 30 or 40 police officers. It's unbelievable, it's such a shock. You don't expect it. We've lived here for years.'
Police Investigation
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Bell from GMP's Wigan and Leigh district said: 'We are investigating a firearms discharge that occurred overnight, and I want to reassure the community in the local area that this appears to be an isolated incident.'
'I understand that incidents of this nature can cause concern among residents and since it occurred, we have taken all steps necessary to keep our investigation moving at pace. We have increased our presence in the area also with officers out on patrol. They are there for your safety but please speak to them if you have any concerns at all or information that might help with our investigation.'
'This type of criminality does not belong on our streets. People should be safe and well in their own homes and we will be doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.'
Anyone with information is urged to contact police via 101 or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.
