Hunt for gunman after street shooting shock
A MAN was shot in a quiet cul-de-sac.
Officers were called to Pleasant Street in Heywood, close to Ashworth Valley and Bamford, shortly after 7pm on Wednesday after reports a man had been shot in the leg.
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment, but his injuries are not believed to be lifethreatening.
Speaking on Wednesday night Supt Dave Pester said: “Understandably this incident is going to cause some alarm to local people. However, I want to assure them we are doing all we can to find the person responsible.
“We remain in the very early stages of the investigation and there are a number of enquiries being carried out by detectives, but I would ask that anybody with information please contact police immediately.
“There is likely to continue to be a large police presence for some time as officers work at the scene.”
Neighbours spoke of their shock following the news of the shooting.
One resident said: “I heard what sounded like a shot. But I didn’t know that was what it was.
“It was dark but from the window I could see a lanky young man charging down the street with a car behind him.
“This is such a nice street - it’s literally pleasant. We don’t normally get any trouble.
“My daughter has been really upset crying all night because she heard me talking about it. It’s just devastating.”
Another neighbour said she was sitting down to watch Emmerdale when she heard a loud bang at 7pm.
She said: “All I heard was a bang which was really loud and not like anything I’d heard before. I thought it might be a firework. Then I heard a car driving off. I didn’t think to look out of the window.
“About 20 minutes later I saw all the police out here with guns - at least five of them and three vans. I asked a neighbour and she said a man had been shot in the kneecap.
“It’s not something you expect around here. It’s a quiet street.
“Nobody drives up here except the people who live here because you can’t get through. There’s never any trouble whatsoever.”