Terrified children banged on doors to escape shooting ordeal
TERRIFIED CHILDREN BANGED ON RESIDENT’S DOOR IN BID TO ESCAPE SHOOTING ‘CHAOS’ AFTERMATH
TERRIFIED children caught up in the shooting horror in Moss Side banged on strangers’ front doors to hide and escape.
Shocked residents told of the ‘chaos’ in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Resident Hassan Adam, who lives on Claremont Road, said: “Around 3am I heard two shots fired. I came out to see what was happening and there was all chaos around. People were rushing and running around.
“Some kids came to my door and said ‘can you hide me? Can I come in your house?’
“There was a lot of panic. The children were scared and they wanted me to put them inside my house.”
Another resident claimed up to 70 police officers were at the scene at the height of the incident.
He said: “I saw people flagging down a police van before back-up was called.
“It was chaotic and there was lots of panic with around 300 people stood in and around the street.
“I arrived home at 11.30pm and everything was under control. People seemed happy. I’m worried this incident will affect the area’s reputation.”
Others living on the street said they were woken by the sound of gunshots.
Police sealed off a large area up to the junction of Roseberry Street. Many of the carnival’s tents and stalls remained at the scene.
Litter – including empty bottles of brandy and other drink containers, food wrappers and nitrous oxide canisters – could be seen strewn across the street.
Residents said the street party was held annually on the road after the Caribbean Carnival. A man who was among the crowds at the time said he heard three shots fired.
Another witness, who was at the party and was a stallholder at the carnival on Saturday, reported people being trampled in the rush to escape.
He said: “I heard a big bang. My ears were ringing. People started to run and people were on the floor so people started running over them. I ran into a shop.”
A woman living on the street added: “I’m shocked. It’s a close-knit street. We all look out for our neighbours. It’s a nice, peaceful community. This street is usually full of kids, but it’s quiet.”
Videos being circulated on social media, meanwhile, showed police officers surrounding victims on the floor as paramedics carried out assessments. The popular festival continued in the face of the shooting last night, with children and adults enjoying the fun at Alexandra Park.