Police have arrested three men in connection with the fatal drive-by shooting of Kieran McGrath in Ashton four months ago.
Officers executed seven raid warrants across the Blackley, Whitefield, Heywood and Bury areas this morning, arresting three men aged 32, 30 and 18.
The suspects were arrested on suspicion of murder as well as the alleged possession of firearms and remain in police custody.
Despite suffering life-threatening injuries, 26-year-old McGrath got into his car and drove himself to the police station where he was found collapsed at around 10.25pm on Saturday October 4 last year.
Though efforts from police officers and paramedics resuscitate him were made, McGrath, who was described as a ‘fantastic brother, uncle and nephew’, was pronounced dead at the scene within minutes.
On the night of the murder, two men on a Suzuki Bandit 600cc motorbike drove onto the car park of the Sheldon Arms pub, where Kieran had been inside with friends from 8.50pm.
One of men walked to the back of the pub before they both drove to the front at around 10pm.
Twenty minutes later, Kieran left the pub and proceeded to walk onto the car park before making his way towards a white Audi A3.
As he reached the car, four gun shots were fired at his direction, one hitting him in the chest.
Results from his post mortem showed that the keen boxer died from a single gunshot wound.
Following the fatal shooting, the Suzuki motorbike was then seen on Charlestown Road, Blackley at 10.26pm before it was found burnt out on Boggart Hole Clough on Tuesday October 7 2014 near Pinfold Avenue.
Two men, aged 30 and 22, who were previously arrested on the suspicion of the 26-year-old’s murder, have now been bailed pending police enquiries until March.
Anyone with information are asked to phone police on 0161 856 4711 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
