BOY OF 14 ARRESTED OVER BAR SHOOTING
16-YEAR-OLD AND MAN, 39, ALSO HELD ON SUSPICION OF ATTEMPED MURDER AT LIVING ROOM
TWO boys aged 14 and 16 have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a drive-by shooting at a city-centre bar.
A 39-year-old man has also been detained on suspicion of the same offence after a volley of shots were fired at The Living Room on Deansgate.
Two men were caught on CCTV arriving on a motorbike outside the premises at 10.15pm on Wednesday.
The pillion passenger then fired five shots from a semi-automatic pistol.
The film footage shows the motorbike emerging from Bridge Street then 10 seconds later the bar is blasted, with customers running inside for cover.
The bike then accelerates down Deansgate towards the junction with Blackfriars Street.
One man suffered a minor injury during the incident by diving out of the way, but not as a direct result of the shooting.
A police spokesman said: “Two teenagers aged 14 and 16 have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remain in police custody for questioning.
“A 39-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of attempt murder.”
Detective Inspector Geoff Machent, of GMP’s City of Manchester team, said: “This has been a fast-moving enquiry and we have now made three arrests. However, our investigation continues and we still need the public’s help with information.
“This was a shocking incident that has understandably caused great concern among residents and visitors to our city. However, we believe this to be a targeted attack that does not pose a direct threat to the wider community.
“We have significant resources in place, with a team of specialist officers working to establish the exact circumstances, as well as increasing police presence in the area.
“If you were on Deansgate at the time and saw anything suspicious I would urge you to come forward.”
At the time of the shooting, the street was busy with pedestrians and vehicles. The motorbike has so far not been traced.
Police believe the attack may have been sparked by a customer being ejected from The Living Room a few days earlier.
The shooting is a carbon-copy of another attack on the bar in October 2014. After that attack the motorbike used in an identical drive-by shooting was found torched in Trinity, Salford.
Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting incident number 2281 of May 3, 2017, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.