Residents have spoken of their terror after a man was shot in the chest while 'sunbathing on the street'.
The 33-year-old man was attacked outside a neighbour’s house in the Little Hulton area of Salford just before 9.30pm on Saturday.
He was taken to hospital in a critically ill condition but - following emergency treatment - is now in a stable condition.
Detectives in Salford believe the shooting was a targeted attack linked to an ongoing dispute between organised crime groups - but have not revealed any more about the suspected motive.
The attack happened on Mill Hill, a residential street with a mixture of terraced and semi-detached houses.
The victim is believed to live on the street, opposite to where the shooting took place.
One neighbour described how they forced their family to dive for cover after hearing the shot ring out.
Read more: Man shot in the chest on Salford street
He said: “As we heard the shot we got the children down on the floor. I popped my head up through the window and saw him.
“I think he may have been sunbathing as he didn’t have a top on. You could see he had a lot of blood coming down his torso.
“There were about four men and women there giving him help and I came out to see if they needed any assistance. A woman was on the phone to the paramedics who were relaying instructions. The man who was shot wasn’t making any noises.”
It is not yet known how the attacker or attackers left the scene, but residents suggested that the shots may have been fired from a vehicle, which late sped off.
Another resident, who has lived on Mill Hill for decades, said she now fears for the safety of her grandchildren.
She said: “I didn’t really know the lad who was shot as he lived at the other end of the street. But he seemed an all right lad.
“It’s just terrible what’s happened. You don’t feel safe to let your grandchildren play in the garden or on the street when this happens. It’s frightening.”
Another resident said: “It’s mad. It’s crazy. I was only out an hour before with my kid. It makes you think what else could have happened.”
Detective Superintendent Emily Higham said enquiries are ongoing and has appealed for information.
He said: “An investigation into this incident has been launched but I would like to stress that enquiries are at a very early stage.
“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.”
Call police on 0161 856 9403 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
