Manchester Shooting – Ten people, including two children, were taken to hospital after reports of gunshots at a street party in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police said one man was in a serious but stable condition with leg injuries and nine others, including the two children, were taken to hospital with pellet-type wounds after the incident on Claremont Road in Moss Side at 2.30am on Sunday.
Armed officers were sent to the scene following reports gunshots had been heard on the street, where a party was being held following a Caribbean Carnival in nearby Alexandra Park.
On Sunday morning, the road was cordoned off by police and litter including empty bottles of brandy and other drink containers, food wrappers and nitrous oxide canisters could be seen across the street.
Residents said a street party was held there annually following the carnival and music was often played into the early hours of the morning.
Youth worker Kemoy Walker said he had been on the main stage at the carnival, which finished at about 8pm, on Saturday and had been at another street party on Claremont Road until about 11.30pm.
He said: “The party I was at was beautiful. When I left there was lovely dancing. That’s Moss Side, that’s the culture. I’m in shock this morning.”
He said he believed the carnival would go ahead as planned on Sunday.
“We need to get the message across to young people to make sure they are not getting involved in negativity,” he said.
He added: “Moss Side has come such a long way and there are great things happening in our community now. Hearing this, I just think why is this happening.”
Chief Superintendent Wasim Chaudhry, from GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “Thankfully the injuries suffered do not appear to be as serious as first believed and hopefully people will begin to leave hospital over the course of the day following treatment.
“That being said, there may be people who didn’t seek treatment last night and I would urge these people to get immediate medical attention if that is the case.
“This was a reckless act that could have had devastating consequences with families and friends losing loved ones.
“Detectives and forensics remain in the Claremont Road area carrying out extensive enquiries and this will carry on today, whilst we will also continue to speak to witnesses and victims.
“Today the community is likely to feel concerned and that’s completely understandable. Guns have no place on our streets and we want to assure you we are doing everything we can to find the person or people responsible.”
Footage reportedly showing the aftermath of the incident was posted on social media.
The video appears to show a panicked group of people being helped by police.
As a voice cries out, shouts of “move” can be heard, while another voice asks “can you hear me”.
A local councillor, Pat Karney, said a man had suffered a broken leg when he was believed to be attempting to flee the incident while the others who were injured had sustained pellet wounds.
He joined Moss Side councillors Sameem Ali and Mahadi Sharif-Mahamed in speaking to the media after a briefing with police and urged the community to enjoy the second day of the carnival.
Cllr Karney said: “It’s an individual, an idiot, who was messing around with a firearm and you can’t tar a whole community because of some idiotic behaviour.
“That could happen in any city in this country.
“I think the fact that over 16,000 people came out to the carnival yesterday indicates the strength of the community here and their desire to celebrate their area.”
