A dad has been shot in front of his young son as they waited at traffic lights in Salford.
Hitmen blasted the victim in the chest and shoulder as the father and son waited at traffic lights on Langworthy Road at the junction with Eccles New Road, in Ordsall.
The injured father, aged in his 30s, drove himself and the child - who was not injured - to nearby Salford Royal Hospital where he remains in a critical condition this evening.
Security at the hospital’s A&E department has been ramped up in the wake of the shooting.
Armed police were scrambled to the scene of the shooting, just after 2.40pm.
Langworthy Road is partially closed and officers are at the scene tonight.
Witnesses are being urged to get in touch with police.
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 1205 of 30/04/2018, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Second time child has been caught up in a shooting
It’s the second time that a young child has been caught up in a shooting in the city.
Seven-year-old Christian Hickey and his mother Jayne, 30, were shot at their home in Winton, Eccles, on October 12, 2015.
The schoolboy was hit in the thigh, while his mother was shot in each leg above the knee on their doorstep.
Eight members of the so-called ‘A team’ gang have since been jailed for the attack, which was launched in revenge for the murder of Salford’s ‘Mr Big’ Paul Massey.
Security ramped up
Security at Salford Royal’s A&E department has been ramped up in the wake of the shooting.
Armed units were scrambled to the scene of the attack - which happened just after 2.40pm on Tuesday.
Police are still in the area along Langworthy Road while the investigation continues.
Hitmen were on a motorbike
Would-be assassins shot a dad in front of his young son as they waited at traffic lights on a busy road in Salford.
The child saw two hitmen pull up alongside his father’s car and open fire while the vehicle was stopped at the junction of Langworthy Road and Eccles New Road, in Ordsall.
The injured father was hit in the chest and shoulder, but incredibly the bullets missed his vital organs.
The victim, aged in his 30s, drove himself and the child - who was not injured - to nearby Salford Royal Hospital. He remains there in a critical condition this evening.
One witness said the child, believed to be about ten-years-old, raced into A&E pleading for help from medics saying his dad had been shot.
Dad was shot in front of his young son
We’ve got all the latest on the Salford shooting here.
Neighbours speak of their shock
Our reporter at the scene, Ashlie Blakey, has been speaking to neighbours living close to the cordon.
One said: “I heard one loud bang. I thought it was a firework at first. People expect bad stuff to happen round here now, but when it happens on your doorstep you just don’t expect it.”
Another said there are a lot of children living in the area and she is worried some may have seen the attack unfold.
Another neighbour said: “I was in the front garden and heard a bang. It was about 2.40pm when we heard it. Next we heard was that this had happened.
“Now I’m a nervous wreck, it makes you feel not safe. I’m scared of going out the door now.”
Another man, who lives on My Street, off Langworthy Road, said: “I heard one loud bang. I said to my wife ‘what’s that’ and we thought it was just a firework. It’s scary when it’s on your own doorstep.”
Cordon on Langworthy Road
What we know so far
- A man in his 30s is in a critical condition after being shot close to a tram stop in Ordsall.
- Armed officers were scrambled to the scene shortly after 2.40pm
- There is a heavy police presence on Langworthy Road were officers are carrying out door to door enquiries
- Part of Langworthy Road and an alleyway behind it have been cordoned off
- Security has been ramped up in the A&E department of Salford Royal Hospital
- Police are urging any witnesses to come forward
Pictures from the scene
Officers are currently making enquiries in the area.
Witnesses urged to get in touch
Detective Inspector Chris Mannion, of GMP’s Salford district, said: “Officers are currently responding to reports of a shooting, and a man has been taken to hospital in a critical condition.
“There is a large police presence at the scene, including armed officers, who will be there for some time carrying out their enquiries.
“If you were in the area and you saw what happened, or if you witnessed anything suspicious, then please get in touch with us as a matter of urgency.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 1205 of 30/04/2018, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Official statement from Greater Manchester Police
“Officers are currently responding to reports of a shooting in Pendleton.
“Shortly after 2.40pm, police were called to reports that a man had been shot on Eccles New Road at the junction of Langworthy Road.
“Officers are in attendance and a man in his 30s has been taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
“A cordon is in place on Langworthy Road between Eccles New Road and the M602 bridge.”
Armed officers in the area
A cordon is currently in place on Langworthy Road between Eccles New Road and the M602 bridge.
There is a large police presence at the scene, including armed officers, Greater Manchester Police say.
Man in his 30s in a critical condition after a shooting
Police have confirmed that they are investigating the shooting of a man in his 30s.
Officers were scrambled to Eccles New Road at the junction of Langworthy Road just after 2.40pm.
The victim is currently in hospital in a critical condition.
Increased security at Salford Royal
A spokesperson for the hospital said: “There is increased security in the emergency department following an incident this afternoon.”
Some road closures in place
Langworthy Road is currently blocked in both directions.
Traffic is queuing from White Street to Eccles New Road.
The road, which is a main route to the M602 and Trafford Park, is partially open.
