PLEA FOR HELP TO CATCH GUN KILLER
COMMUNITY LEADERS APPEAL FOR INFORMATION TO CATCH GUNMAN WHO SHOT TWO DEAD AT MOSS SIDE STREET PARTY
COMMUNITY leaders in Moss Side have appealed for information after two men were shot dead at a street party.
Abayomi Ajose, 36, and Cheriff Tall, 21, died after being shot at the impromptu gathering.
They suffered fatal injuries when the gunman blasted them from close range during a party on a car park attended by up to 200 people at about 1am on Sunday.
It’s thought Mr Ajose, a community worker, was shot as he tried to act as a peacemaker when trouble broke out at the gathering.
Youth worker Kemoy Walker, who knew and paid tribute to Mr Tall, called on witnesses to come forward, saying ‘we need justice for both families.’
He said: “Moss Side is a fantastic community, it is such a tragedy to have lost two people in our community, as a youth worker and ambassador to the community, my condolences are with the family at this time. Now is a chance for us to reflect as a community and look out for each other, but we also need to speak to GMP if you know anything – we need justice for both families.”
Fellow youth worker Akemia Minott said: “These men were loved by so many and the full impact of these tragic deaths is immeasurable.
“Although it won’t bring these men back, part of our healing process will be knowing that the perpetrators have been brought to justice. If anyone has any information please come forward so that their family and friends can find some closure.”
Moss Side councillor Mahadi Hussein Sharif Mahamed said: “I am saddened by the tragic death of the two victims. My heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and friends.
“Our community is also saddened by this tragic incident and they want justice for the victim’s families.
“I have lived in this area for the past 15 years both as a councillor and as a resident. I can say that this is not a true representation of what our
Moss Side is all about. And the people who did this will not deter our resolve to continue to working towards a safer and a more prosperous Moss Side. What happened at that gathering on Sunday morning should never have happened in our area. Moss Side has come a long way and has overcome the challenges of the past. We have done this by coming together and showing our resilience. We need to do the same now. I urge everyone with information about what happened to come forward and help the police so the perpetrators of this heinous crime can be brought to justice.”
Chief Insp John Harris said: “The Moss Side community have supported each other significantly in recent days, showing the community spirit that we all know so well.
“We want to be really clear that the horrific events of last weekend do not represent Moss Side and what it stands for at all. After Sunday’s incident people are understandably united in their shock and sadness and we will continue to support them together with other agencies wherever we can.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to also make a further appeal to those who were present at the time of the incident to please come forward with their information. Both victim’s families deserve to see the offenders brought to justice and we need the help of the community to trace those individuals who are responsible.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 856 9908, quoting incident number 221 of 21/06/2020 – or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Moss Side has come a long way and overcome the challenges of the past
Coun Mahadi Hussein Sharif Mahamed