MOSS SIDE GUN DEATHS: WE HAVE A PRIME SUSPECT SAY POLICE
BUT TOP DETECTIVE NEEDS PUBLIC’S HELP TO BRING LOCKDOWN PARTY KILLER TO JUSTICE
POLICE investigating a shocking double murder at a Moss Side lockdown party have identified a prime suspect – but they still need witnesses to bring him to justice.
A gunman blasted Cheriff Tall, 21, and Abayomi Ajose, 36, in the head at a rowdy party in a car park off Caythorpe Street just before 1am on June 21.
It is believed Mr Ajose, a support worker and father-of-three, stepped in to help Mr Tall, who had ambitions to become a pilot or join the Army, when he became involved in an argument with the gunman.
Both victims were shot at close range in the head. The gunman is on the run.
Even though there were 300 people at the party, no witnesses who are willing to give evidence in court have yet come forward.
Detectives leading the manhunt confirmed they have a prime suspect and a number of house searches had been conducted. They are appealing directly to people at the party to help bring the gunman to justice for the sake of his victims’ families.
Last week, police arrested a woman aged 32 in Birmingham on suspicion of double murder. The woman, who is not suspected of firing the shots, has been released on bail pending enquiries.
Detectives suspect the gunman, who is not from Greater Manchester, travelled to Moss Side with his partner.
A number of addresses have been searched as part of the investigation.
Det Chief Supt Stuart Wilkinson, who is leading the investigation, said: “I understand it’s very very difficult for people to come forward for any crime but especially a brutal one such as this. But there were 300 people at this gathering. I’m pretty sure there are eyewitnesses. We desperately need people in the community to come forward.
“I don’t believe the killer is from Moss Side. I think they are from outside Manchester. If that helps people come forward then I’m prepared to say that.”
Mr Wilkinson said the community had been ‘very helpful’ but he accepted people were ‘a bit nervous.’
He said: “I understand the stigma of talking to the police. It’s a big step to come forward and give evidence in court especially with two brutal murders such as this.
“These families are devastated. We do need the help of the community. We have a killer on the streets who’s clearly not bothered about shooting people with a gun in front of 300 people. I’m desperately appealing for people to come forward and give us that help.
He also appealed for people with mobile phone footage of the event to come forward. He stressed that his officers wanted any footage from the event, not just the shooting and appealed to potential witnesses to ‘do the right thing for the families and come forward.’ He said they could contact police anonymously if they wished.
Cheriff’s father Mousa Tall, 53, a support worker, said the gunman was ‘in hiding, like a rat.’
The young man’s mother Suwaidu Sanyang, 53, and sister Sarata Sambou, 34, sobbed as he said: “You killed two people for no reason. You were so big to kill them. But today you are so little because you are hiding.”
Abayomi’s wife Lola Ajose, with whom he had three children, said: “He was just a really fun guy and hard-working guy and dedicated to looking after the family. He was a very good dad.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 9908, quoting incident number 221 of 21/06/2020 – or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.