Dear Santa, please get the men who shot me...
Heart-breaking plea from boy targeted in gang war
LIKE most seven-year- old boys, Christian Hickey sat down this week to write a letter to Father Christmas.
But unlike his peers, the one present he wants more than anything else won’t be waiting for him under the tree on Christmas morning.
In a heart-breaking note, Christian, who was shot on his doorstep alongside his mother after being caught up in a turf war between rival gangs, says his number one wish is: ‘Help the police catch the people who hurt me.’
Decorated with drawings of a Christmas tree, presents, an elf and Father Christmas, the poignant list includes computer games, a remote control helicopter and other toys desired by typical boys his age.
But his main plea is for the community of Salford, Greater Manchester, to break their silence and help police find the two gunmen who shot him and his mother at point- blank range when she answered the door of their home last month. Christian underwent a series of operations and spent weeks in hospital after a bone in his left leg was shattered by the bullet.
His mother Jayne, 30, was shot twice in both legs above the knee after refusing to disclose the whereabouts of her husband, Christian Snr, 38. Mr Hickey, who had served a jail term for manslaughter over his part in a fatal stabbing in 2002, was inside the house at the time and chased the attackers on foot but they got away.
The pair are now recovering at a ‘safe house’ but it is believed Christian still relies on crutches.
The attack came after 50 tit-for- tat shootings between rival gangs in the space of just 16 months that have left three men dead and at least 17 injured.
Following the shooting, police issued a picture of Christian lying in his hospital bed. They hope that by publicising his letter it may encourage people to come forward and help them find those responsible.
Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘It is heartwrenching to know that a little boy who should be writing a list filled with exciting gifts has got this at the top of his Christmas list.’