Everything we know about the double murder in Moss Side this weekend
Two people have died after a shooting broke out at an illegal rave in Moss Side during the weekend.
Both men, in their 20s and 30s, arrived at hospital with gunshot wounds in the early hours of Sunday morning and have since passed away.
Witnesses have described “hundreds of people” gathering in the Moss Side area on Saturday evening before gunshots were heard around 1am.
A police cordon was placed around a courtyard in the neighbourhood between Caythorpe Street, Broadfield Road and Bowes Street.
Social media footage has surfaced online showing large crowds drinking and dancing – despite police warnings to avoid gatherings after the violent scenes at “quarantine raves” the previous weekend.
Three men were stabbed at the unauthorised parties in Greater Manchester, whilst one woman was raped and another man died from a suspected overdose.
Detective Inspector Andrew Butterworth issued the following statement: “Firstly, our thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones, who are understandably devastated. Specialist officers are doing everything they can to support them at this time.
“A thorough and fast-paced investigation is already well underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and arrest those responsible. As we speak, dedicated teams of officers are carrying out house to house enquiries and reviewing CCTV.
He continued: “The local community will be devastated to learn about this tragic loss of life, we are working hard to try and reassure the community, talking to people and trying to offer some reassurance.
“We know that the impact on young people in particular will be significant and will be working with Manchester City Council to help people who have been traumatised by this terrible crime.”
Moss Side has a long history of gun violence but has enjoyed noteworthy development in recent years.
The inner-city region received nationwide attention for the first time in years in summer 2018 – when a shooting occurred across the same weekend of the Caribbean Carnival, injuring 12 people.