Detectives have identified five potential witnesses to a double murder shooting that took place in Moss Side back in 2020.
Coming up to three and half years since the fatal double shooting in Moss Side that claimed the lives of both 36-year-old Junior Ajose and 21-year-old Cheriff Tall back in June 2020, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has released pictures of five people who they believe could have potentially witnessed the horrific incident.
A dedicated team of detectives have been working to piece together what happened on Sunday 21 June 2020 when gun shots were heard just before 1am (00:55am) in a car park on Caythorpe Street.
The double shooting occurred after a community event in the Moss Side area of Manchester, and according to GMP, it’s believed there were between 300-400 people present at the time.
But despite detectives having worked “tirelessly” to investigate the incident since it occurred, and despite several appeals to the public – including one with a £50,000 reward on the third anniversary last June – they still haven’t been able to gather the vital evidence needed to track-down and apprehend the suspect who used the firearm.
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This is why the pictures of the five “potential witnesses” have now been released.
GMP says it’s important to make it clear that these five people – who have been identified from mobile phone footage provided – are “not connected in any way to the murder” of Cheriff and Junior, but it’s just that detectives are keen to speak to them as they believe they have potential information that could help with their detailed enquiries.
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“Over the three years since Cheriff and Junior’s lives were taken in tragic and upsetting circumstances, we have reviewed hours of footage, carried out several warrants and spoken to several people about this incident,” explained DCI Neil Higginson, who is one of the Senior Investigating Officer’s of the case at GMP.
“But more is still needed to bring justice to their families after they continue to suffer immense heartbreak.
Police urge five ‘potential witnesses’ to Moss Side double murder shooting to come forward / Credit: GMP
“We have a good understanding of what occurred that night and we do have an outstanding suspect, but we need more evidence. We know most people who were present were there to enjoy themselves and not cause trouble, so we are certain that they will have vital detail that can help in our investigation in the events leading up to, during or after the murder.
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“Our focus is to obtain this key evidence so that we can convict the person responsible for the murders.
“I understand that people can be reluctant to come forward in this type of case, for a variety of reasons, but I ask that you do so as we can provide the relevant support needed as it’s not too late to do the right thing.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact GMP in confidence on 0161 856 0110, quoting incident number 221 of 21/06/20, or alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Any pictures, videos, or other information can also be uploaded anonymously to the Major Incident Public Portal under ‘Operation Tarnbrook’ here.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
24-hour bus services are now running across all Greater Manchester boroughs
Emily Sergeant
24-hour bus services are now running across all boroughs in Greater Manchester.
You may remember that back in March, it was announced that every borough of Greater Manchester was set to get a night bus service in what is hoped to be a ‘boost’ to the night-time economy… and now it’s official, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched those 24-hour buses this month, along with a series of other measures.
Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford now join the rest of Greater Manchester in having 24-hour bus services, meaning every part of the region will have a night bus operating Thursday through to Sunday.
It’s expected that these new services will help around 625,400 people working in the night-time economy across Greater Manchester, as well as those out enjoying the region’s nightlife, TfGM has said.
The routes which will run around the clock from Thursday until Sunday are:
50 (Salford – Manchester)
216 (Tameside – Manchester)
263 (Trafford – Manchester)
192 (Stockport – Manchester)
83 (Oldham – Manchester)
All Greater Manchester boroughs now have 24-hour bus services / Credit: TfGM
They launch alongside the most significant service changes to the Bee Network since the completion of bus franchising last year – including other new bus routes, and more frequent services across Greater Manchester.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy everything Greater Manchester offers, without the worry of how to get there and get home,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“By growing the Bee Network, we’re making it easier than ever for people to use the bus, day and night.
“Our night buses are already providing a lifeline to some of the hundreds of thousands of people who are growing our night-time economy and working in essential public services.”
“Whether people are heading home from a night at the theatre or starting the early shift at a hospital, they can now get on board the night bus as a safe and affordable way to travel.”
Further improvements will delivered from January 2027, and a full breakdown by borough can be found on the Bee Network website here.
Emily Sergeant -
10th January 2024 
