Police consider racial motive after Salford shooting

The 23-year-old victim, a postgraduate electronics student at Lancaster University, was part of a group of nine male and female Indian students who were visiting Manchester for a short break over the Christmas holidays.

As they walked from their hotel in Salford towards Manchester city centre, they were stopped by a man who began a short conversation with the victim before taking out a handgun and firing at close range. Armed response units were then called to Ordsall Lane, in Salford, Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police are not yet revealing what exactly the gunman said.

The area has been sealed off for forensic examination and police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood made a statement to reporters earlier.

“Firstly. I want to extend my sympathies to the man’s family and friends,” he said.

“We are only a few hours into our investigation and at the moment it is not clear exactly what has happened in the crucial moments leading up to the shooting, nor does there appear to be any obvious motive. At this stage, we are treating this as an unprovoked attack that has tragically ended in a young man being shot dead at close range.

“There will understandably be a lot of upset and concern in the community and I want to try and reassure people that we will pursue every possible lead to identify the gunmen and bring them to justice.

“Officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, together with officers from the Salford division, will be working round the clock on the investigation and we are already interviewing a number of witnesses to establish the exact circumstances leading up to this man’s death.

We are investigating every possible aspect. Chief Supt Kevin Mulligan

“I want to appeal to anyone who might have been in the vicinity at the time of the shooting, who might have either heard or seen something, to call us immediately as your information could be absolutely vital to our investigation. If you did see two men running away from the scene, then please come forward.”

Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan, divisional commander for Salford, said: “This is a tragic incident and our first thoughts are for the family.

“There is going to be a huge amount of concern in the community and I can reassure the family and the community by telling them we have launched a major investigation and no stone will be left unturned until we find the people who are responsible for this.”

Mr Mulligan said a racial motive was not being ruled out, adding: “We are investigating every possible aspect.”

The student, who has not been named, collapsed to the ground and was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. His family in India have been informed.