After a Salford mum and her young son were shot multiple times in a ‘sickening’ attack last night, Greater Manchester Police’s deputy chief constable has issued a warning to gun criminals.
The GMP made the comments after releasing a description of two men responsible for the shooting of a 29-year-old woman – understood to be Jayne Hickey – and her seven-year-old son.
The shooting is believed to be linked to an ‘ongoing feud’ between gangs in Swinton and central Salford, which is connected to the murder of ‘Mr Big’ Paul Massey.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins believes the conflict is causing ‘senseless shootings’ on innocent people.
He said: “We have said all along that these tit-for-tat feuds between the criminal factions in Salford have the potential to harm and even kill innocent people.
“Sadly, this has now been proved by the senseless shooting of a seven-year-old boy and his mother in this sickening attack.
“Enough is enough and this must stop. To those people in the community who know who is responsible, but who have not come forward, I am asking you to help us put a stop to this.”
The attack occured shortly after 9:25pm on Monday as two men knocked on the front door of a property on Gillingham Road in Salford.
After answering the door, the mother and son – following a brief conversation – were shot a number of times by one of the men.
The woman received two gunshot wounds to her leg, while the boy sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.
They remain in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being taken for treatment.
The first offender is described as white, between 19 and 20-years-old, of ‘chunky’ build and was wearing a baseball cap. He spoke slowly and with a Salford accent.
The second man is described as white and was also wearing a baseball cap.
DCC Hopkins added: “We have stepped up our response to organised crime in Salford over the last few months, with more than 50 specialist officers now working on several major investigations.
“We are keeping an open mind on all of these incidents, however, it certainly appears that there are two distinct feuds between organised crime groups in Salford
“We believe the shooting of the mother and child last night is linked to an on-going feud between groups in Swinton and central Salford, of which the Massey murder is a part of.
“A separate and unconnected feud is simultaneously taking place between groups in the Little Hulton area, which has been responsible for a number of firearms incidents, including the ones seen over the weekend in Little Hulton and Farnworth.
“We arrested seven men this morning in relation to this series of incidents in Little Hulton and charged 22 people last month following a series of arrests linked to organised crime.
“Any information you have could be the key to stopping this and making sure no-one else is hurt.”
A dedicated information hotline has been set up on 0161 856 9775, or people can also pass information on by calling 101, or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Ray Foster, with thanks.
