Police investigating a shooting in Moss Side in the early hours of Sunday morning are treating it as attempted murder.
Armed and unarmed officers were deployed to the scene one minute after the call came into police and worked quickly to establish those injured and provide medical support after shots were fired in Claremont Road around 2.30.
Nine people went to hospital – aging from 12 to in their 50s – with pellet-type wounds that are not believed to be serious. One man has since been discharged.
A tenth person,a man,remains in a stable but serious condition in hospital with injuries to his legs.
A further two people have today presented themselves at hospital to be checked over. Their injuries are not thought to be serious at this time.
Detectives are still working to establish the motive behind the attack but are currently treating it as attempted murder.
From enquiries so far it is believed a shot gun was fired on at least two occasions but the weapon is yet to be recovered.
Searches remain ongoing in the area and armed as well as unarmed officers will continue to patrol throughout Moss Side.
Chief Superintendent Wasim Chaudhry, from GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “The investigation remains in its very early stages and we are still appealing for people to come forward to police with information about who is responsible for this reckless attack.
“This was an extremely dangerous and serious offence. Letting off a firearm in a crowd of people can result in devastating consequences and I am just thankful that no one has died as a result and that no one is in a life-threatening condition.
“Yesterday had been a great day for the community with over 16,000 people attending the Caribbean Carnival where no arrests were made.
“The vast majority of people living in Moss Side are law abiding, community-spirited residents and I don’t want this incident to cast a shadow on what was a wonderful day although I understand it will concern people.
“We believe the answers to our questions could lie within Moss Side and I would implore anyone who knows anything to please get in touch as matter of urgency. If people don’t feel comfortable talking to police then they can also report information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers.”
Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 4166 quoting incident number 297 of 12 August or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
