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
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Andy Burnham explains why Number 10 North is so important as it officially ‘opens for business’
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has explained his key reasons for launching Number 10 North as it officially ‘opens for business’ this week.
You may remember that earlier last month, Andy Burnham revealed he had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, with the new base expected to be a ‘dominant driver of the UK’s economy’ once it was officially up and running… and now, fast forward to today, Number 10 North is officially ‘open for business’.
Operating from Heron House in Manchester city centre, as previously reported on, Number 10 North will be the Government’s new ‘situation room for growth’.
It also brings the ‘levers’ of local economic growth and devolution together under one roof for the first time ever.
Number 10 North has officially ‘opened for business’ / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
With the Prime Minister expected to work from Number 10 North each week, so that decisions about the country’s economic future will no longer exclusively be made in Westminster, and with other ministers also working from there on a regular basis, the Government says the move underlines its determination to ‘do things differently’.
Now that Number 10 North has officially opened, Andy Burnham and his fellow ministers have explained why this move is so important for not just Manchester, but the north as a whole.
“For 40 years, power and resources have been sucked into the centre, and too many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve,” explained Andy Burnham.
“Number 10 North will change that by putting more power into every postcode across the entire country. It will be the situation room for making Britain better, the place we use to get power out of Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can turn things around.
“The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over, for good.”
First Secretary Louise Haigh added: “Today marks a fundamental re-balancing of where power sits in our country. Number 10 North has been set up to drive economic growth in every postcode and put power in the hands of every community.
“Through this department, this Government will ensure that the places overlooked by Westminster for decades are given a real voice.
“Number 10 North is open for business.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Scissors, toy guns, and baseball bat among 100+ items confiscated by security at Manchester Airport
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Airport has revealed a shocking list over 100 items confiscated by security staff in just one morning.
And honestly, you won’t believe some of the things people have tried to take on a plane.
With schools across Greater Manchester having now broken up for the summer holidays, and families getting ready to jet off on their holidays, Manchester Airport is urging all passengers travelling over the next six weeks to make sure they know the hand luggage rules before boarding the plane, after more than 100 items recently had to be confiscated by security in one morning alone.
12 pairs of scissors, 10 toy guns, seven corkscrews, four knives, two loose chisels, a pair of pliers, and even a baseball bat were among the items forming part of the shocking confiscation haul.
On top of this, security also confiscated dozens of cosmetic products, drinks bottles, and food items like multipacks of yoghurts.
Scissors, toy guns, and a baseball bat are among 100+ items confiscated by security at Manchester Airport / Credit: Manchester Airport
Although new 3D scanning technology has been installed at both of Manchester Airport’s terminals now, making the process smoother overall, those travelling during the busy summer period are reminded that attempting to bring non-compliant items through airport security causes delays for themselves and for others.
Airport security bosses are encouraging people to reacquaint themselves with the rules for hand luggage before packing for their journey.
“We’re proud of the role we play in getting people’s journeys off to the right start, and more than 97% of our passengers are getting through security checks in under 15 minutes,” commented Sakib Mahmood, who is the Security Duty Manager for T2 at Manchester Airport
All if these items were confiscated in just one morning / Credit: Manchester Airport
“But each time we have to pull a bag aside for a manual search it can take several minutes, and that can quickly start to add up and create delays.
“The range of items confiscated here in just a few hours shows what our security officers are up against every day, but when it comes to working out what is restricted and what is not, we know some items are more obvious than others.
“If you take a moment to reacquaint yourself with the rules before packing your hand luggage, it can save you lots of time when you get to Security, and avoids you losing items like water guns or bottles of suncream that you want to take on your holiday with you.
“In many cases, items like these which may fall foul of hand luggage restrictions can be taken in your hold luggage, so if in any doubt, pack the item in your suitcase rather than your carry-on bag.”
Emily Sergeant -
10th January 2024 
