MAN ‘ASKED FOR CIG – THEN KNIFED TO DEATH’
ARRESTS IN SHOP STABBING HORROR
A MAN stabbed to death in a shop was asked for a cigarette before a row broke out and he was attacked, the M.E.N. understands.
The victim, aged in his 40s, died in hospital after he was knifed at the Redbank Convenience Store on Ainsworth Road in Radcliffe, Bury, shortly before 7.30am yesterday.
A man was being questioned by detectives on suspicion of murder last night. Two women arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender were also being quizzed.
A source told the M.E.N. someone asked the victim for a cigarette inside the store. That led to an altercation and the attacker produced a knife.
The victim, who hasn’t been named, was then stabbed.
Witnesses told the M.E.N. the incident happened in the doorway of the shop.
Police are understood to have searched a home in connection with the investigation.
It is not believed a robbery was about to take place and police have confirmed the victim wasn’t an employee.
GMP also revealed that the attacker, who is thought to have fled the scene in a car, collided with several other cars before officers arrived.
A man, 35, was later arrested on suspicion of murder.
The two women, aged 29 and 30, were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Forensic investigators were seen examining one of two damaged hatchback cars further along Ainsworth Road, as well as the shop itself.
A GMP spokesman said: “Two women, aged 29 and 30, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Crime scenes remain in place on Ainsworth Road and inquiries are ongoing.”
Issuing an appeal for witnesses, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Wilkinson, of GMP’s major incident team, said CCTV footage was being analysed.
He said: “As our inquiries into how this man came to lose his life continue, my thoughts remain with his family.
“Specialist officers have been speaking with the local communities and reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation. We will continue to be in the area over the coming days, and I’d urge anyone who may have information about this devastating incident to please speak to our officers directly.”