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Residents' shock after shooting

23/ 4/2008

A MAN gunned down in broad daylight on the Clover Hall estate on Monday afternoon was fleeing from his attackers when he was shot.

Police have revealed that three men threatened the 24-year-old victim with a knife before trying to march him along the street.

He managed to break free and run off along Farm Walk, but as he did so one of the men shouted 'shoot him'.

The victim was then hit twice in the back, legs and buttocks, suffering 20 gunshot wounds, before the suspects sped off in a blue Subaru car. He went to the Royal Oldham Hospital where he was treated for his injuries, which were not life-threatening. He has since been discharged.

The first offender is described as a white man, about 6ft 2ins tall, of slim  build, in his late 20s or mid 30s. He had short brown hair and was wearing a waist-length Puffa-style jacket  and sunglasses.

The second man was also white, about 5ft 8in tall, of medium build, also in his late 20s or mid 30s. He had longish light brown or ginger hair coming over the side of his face and was wearing a long dark navy blue woollen coat.

The third man was white, about 5ft 7in tall, of normal build and in his late 20s or mid 30s, with short brown hair with a centre parting, wearing a white t-shirt.

Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick said: "This was a shocking incident in which a shotgun was fired on a busy housing estate when there may have been children out playing.

"Luckily, the injuries to the victim were not life-threatening but the intent was clear and the consequences could have been tragic.

"At this stage we would not want to speculate about a possible motive. However, we are conducting area searches, house-to-house inquiries and viewing CCTV footage.

"We are doing everything to apprehend these dangerous offenders and bring them to justice.

"Incidents of this type are thankfully very rare in Rochdale but one firearms incident is one too many.

"We will not tolerate the use or distribution of firearms in Rochdale and those who seek to disrupt the peaceful existence of law-abiding members of our communities will be punished severely.

"I would also ask the community to help us in our inquiries. If you have any information about what happened, please come forward. You could hold the key to solving this crime and helping police to ensure
this sort of thing does not happen."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

RESIDENTS on the Clover Hall estate expressed their shock following the shooting.

One lady who was in the garden at the time. She said: "We heard the gunshots and saw the car speeding off and I took everyone inside.

"It is a bit close to home. It's scary to think something like this can happen on your own doorstep.

"Everyone is talking about it because its is so scary to think this could happen in broad daylight here.

"There aren't that many people out and about today. I think everyone is staying inside and who can blame them."

Another Clover Hall resident who asked not to be named said: "I have lived here since I was six years old.

"We have a lot of trouble with stolen cars and people being arrested but never anything as serious as this.

"But I suppose that is what can happen if you get on the wrong side of the wrong people."