A Salford man has been shot in the hip and investigating officers believe it may be connected to the ‘targeted attack’ that killed Paul Massey a few weeks ago.
Greater Manchester Police found the 33-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his hip at a home on Normanton Avenue, Weaste, at around 6:15 yesterday evening.
The man was taken to hospital and his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
An investigation has been launched and police believe the incident may be linked to the fatal shooting of Salford’s ‘Mr Big’ on Sunday July 26.
Salford Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said: “An investigation into this incident has been launched but I would like to stress that enquiries are at a very early stage.
“We are looking into the possibility that this incident is connected with the murder of Paul Massey and as such we currently have two specialised Major Incident Teams working tirelessly to identify and prosecute those responsible for these offences.”
Mr Massey was jailed for 14 years in 1999 for stabbing a man in the groin but had turned his life around and even ran for mayor in 2012.
It has been suggested locally that Mr Massey once acted as a mediator between warring Salford gang factions.
Police are urging anyone with information about either of these crimes not to take the law into their own hands.
CCS Doyle said: “As I have said previously, I believe that the answer to what happened to Paul Massey and now this incident lie within the community and I would like to urge anybody with information to come forward.
“Please don’t attempt to take the law into your own hands and get involved, leave that to the police as it is what we are here to do.
“I would like to stress that any information given to police will be treated in the strictest confidence or alternatively if people would prefer complete anonymity when passing on information then Crimestoppers is available.”
Police patrols in the area have been increased and will remain in place to try and prevent further offences from taking place and offer reassurance to the public.
“We have dedicated extra patrols to Salford to try and prevent further incidents from taking place and also offer reassurance to the community that incidents like this will not be tolerated,” CCS Doyle added.
“If anybody has any concerns then please talk to our officers, these patrols will remain in place 24 hours a day for the foreseeable future.”
Anybody with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
