Today marks five years since two men sadly lost their lives in a double shooting in Moss Side
Cheriff Tall, who was 21 at the time, and Abayome (Junior) Ajose, who was 36, were both killed in the shooting during the early hours of Sunday 21 June 2020, in a car park off Caythorpe Street, Moss Side.
Police are now appealing for any witnesses who may know or have seen someone who was wearing a black Icon cap with a white logo, and a white Nike Air T-shirt with a small black logo over the left side of the chest portion.
Over the years the investigation has seen several warrants carried out which has also led to several people being questioned in custody and the seizure of mobile phones for forensic analysis.
Police say as remain committed to investigating the murders, we do know that key answers still lie within the community through witnesses as it is estimated that 300-400 people were present in the car park that night. The investigation team believes that some of those present would be able to provide crucial eyewitness accounts.
“We know people attending were there to simply enjoy themselves and were not looking for any trouble. But we are certain that they will have vital details, even if those details seem insignificant, that could help us gather the evidence we need to convict the killer and offer some closure to the two families that have been through so much heartbreak.”
A £50,000 reward remains on available for key information that leads to the discovery and conviction of the killer of Cheriff and Junior as we try to tirelessly piece together evidence to bring the offender to justice.
Detective Chief Inspector and Senior Investigating Officer, Neil Higginson, from our Major Incident Team, said: “This year marks five years since Cheriff and Junior went out to a party but sadly, never returned home to their loved ones. Their families have been left devastated by their loss, and they deserve justice.
“We will never be able to bring back their beloved Cheriff and Junior, but we can see that their killer is brought to justice. We need members of the community to get in touch and help us with some key information.
“There were hundreds of people in the car park that night and we are sure that there are people who saw the incident, even if it was just part of it. However, there has been a reluctance for witnesses to come forward with information.
“I understand that people might be scared, and that is normal given what has happened but there is a range of measures that we can put in place to keep witnesses safe.
“Evidence can be given on video or behind a screen. It could also be that we could apply to the courts for the witness to be anonymous if there are grounds to do so.
“I’d just ask for you to come forward and we can have an honest chat about what we can do, as you don’t have to commit to giving a statement in the first instance.
“The person responsible for these murders we believe is from Birmingham. He is not a member of the local Moss Side community, and he should not be protected.
“Anyone who comes forward in this case is not a ‘grass’ for helping the police, they are simply doing what is right for two families who have had their loved ones taken from them in awful circumstances. No one deserves that.
“When we have worked together in the past, we have achieved great results and if we work together again, we can get justice for Cheriff and Junior. It’s not too late to do the right thing.”
