Store shooting ‘was a bit like the Bronx’
Believed to be part of gang dispute
ABOY of 15 has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a shooting at a convenience store in a Stockport suburb.
Police have also recovered a gun.
The incident was first reported by terrified staff as an attempted robbery but was later said to be a ‘targeted attack’.
A number of men pulled up in a car and entered DA Shop on Worcester Road, Cheadle Hulme, just after 5.30pm on Sunday with a number of shots reportedly fired.
Staff inside the shop, which has a fog security system, were able to activate the panic alarm which caused the store to fill with smoke.
The assailants then fled shortly afterwards. Staff and the one customer inside at the time managed to scramble to safety and no one was injured.
In a statement issued today, GMP said: “Police investigating an incident on Worcester Road, Cheadle, on Sunday, June 20 2021 executed a warrant at a property in south Manchester.
“A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
“He remains in police custody for questioning. A firearm was recovered.”
Local councillors said they were told by investigating officers that it was a ‘targeted attack’ with officers still trying to establish a motive.
It is thought to be connected to a gang dispute, the Express understands.
Coun David Meller, Labour ward councillor for Cheadle Hulme North, issued an update on his Facebook page on Monday afternoon saying: “I have just had an update from GMP about yesterday’s incident
“Yesterday afternoon at 5.40pm, a red car pulled up near to the off-licence on Worcester Road.
“Several people were in the car.
“They entered the shop and discharged a firearm.
“Thankfully nobody was injured and the staff were able to activate the smoke cloaking device almost immediately, which obscured any vision inside the store and helped protect the staff.
“There is an extensive police investigation underway, being led by the CID at Cheadle Hulme and involves GMP force resources and partner agencies.”
He added: “The investigation is still in its early stages and GMP are seeking to understand the motivation behind the attack.
“However, it was not a robbery, but a targeted attack.”
One member of staff said three youths all in their teens came into the shop with their faces covered at about 5.35pm.
“It was all over very quickly,” he said.
“There was me and another staff member behind the till and a group of three lads approached the door.
“We have a door pinger so as soon as someone touches it you look and straight away I made up my mind.
“One of them came in and was trying to get the gun out of his pants.
“The one behind him had a gun in his hand. The third had a machete.
“We immediately activated the panic alarm and were able to jump down behind the till.
“They fired shots towards us. In total there were five shots.”
Locals also reported the police helicopter circling above for around an hour, and sniffer dogs were seen being led around the police cordon which saw a large area around the shop remained taped off on Monday afternoon.
He said he had not been told by police that there was “any implication” it was anything other than an attempted robbery and that perhaps it been seen as an “easy target” due to its location.
“I’m still in shock really,” he added.
“But things like that this happen.
“It’s the world we live in now. It’s crazy.
“This is a really good area but in every area you get idiots.”
The family-owned shop posted on their Facebook page saying: “Thanks for all the caring messages of support. Everyone is well and nobody has been hurt.
“The store will be closed till at least 1pm tomorrow.
“Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Those living nearby reported hearing the shots and others of seeing the men flee in the aftermath of the incident.
And they said the incident had sent shockwaves through the normally quiet suburban area.
They also said police had been in the area a night earlier when Grange Road was left strewn with broken glass that appeared to be from a car windscreen, though no damaged cars were visible.
One woman who did not want to be named said: “I didn’t hear the shots.
“I just heard they shot through the window and no-one was hurt.
“But we saw the police, there were loads of them and it was all cordoned off.
“The helicopter was buzzing overhead for about an hour.
“Seeing two officers at the end of the street with their guns drawn was horrifying really.
“It’s a bit like the Bronx or New York, you don’t associate that kind of thing with round here. So it was a real shock.
“Everywhere has its problems but we did not expect that at all.
“The police were here on Friday for something.
“On Saturday morning the road was completely covered in broken glass and someone was brushing it up.
“It was everywhere though and looked it had come from a car windscreen.
“I’m not sure if that was related at all. Someone said there may have been an incident in the shop earlier in the evening but we don’t know about that.
“We’re just glad no-one was hurt and hope the police catch whoever is responsible.”
Another nearby resident: “I heard two shots.
“I didn’t think it was a gun at first.
“It I thought it was just a loud bang and it sounded more like a pop.
“We didn’t know what was going on at that stage.
“Then I heard all the police cars and realised it must be something.
“I think it was on Friday there was all broken glass in the road here.
“I believe it happened around 8pm whilst England (football) were on, but I didn’t see or hear that.”
A woman who lives close to the shop said: “I saw two young men running past my window, I was sat next to it and it was open.
“The first man was past me but I caught a glimpse of the second one side-on.
“He was wearing a coat with the hood pulled up.
“I can’t remember the exact words but he shouted something along the lines of ‘hurry up’ or ‘carry on.’”
She said the men in their late teens or early teens were running in the direction of Buckingham Road. It definitely sounded like a local accent. The police were here very, very quickly.
“I’ve lived here over three years and we’ve never had anything like that before.
“You do sometimes get some kids on bikes hanging around the shop but I think you get that outside every shop these days.”
A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesman previously said: “Officers were called around 5.40pm on Sunday 20 June 2021 to a report of an attempted robbery at a business premises on Worcester Road, Cheadle Hulme.
“Officers attended and enquiries established a group of males had entered the store and a firearm was subsequently discharged.
“The males fled the scene. Thankfully no one was injured.
“Enquiries are ongoing. There is not believed to be any threat to the wider community.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9923 quoting incident 2114 of 20/06/21. Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
It’s a bit like the Bronx. You don’t associate that kind of thing with round here”