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One man dead after city shootings One man dead after city shootings
(about 2 hours later)
A man has been shot dead in London and three men have been injured in two separate shootings in Manchester.A man has been shot dead in London and three men have been injured in two separate shootings in Manchester.
The man, in his mid-20s, was found with fatal gun wounds in a car in Hackney, east London early on Saturday, and died in hospital. The dead man, who was aged 28, was found with fatal gun wounds in a car in Hackney, east London, early on Saturday, and died in hospital.
His death comes days after three teenagers were killed in south London.His death comes days after three teenagers were killed in south London.
In Manchester, three men are in hospital after being shot in the two attacks, in Moss Side and Longsight, where armed police are patrolling.In Manchester, three men are in hospital after being shot in the two attacks, in Moss Side and Longsight, where armed police are patrolling.
"This problem is only caused by a small number of individuals who are engaged in this, and we are actively targeting these individuals," Ch Supt Dave Keller, of Greater Manchester Police, told reporters."This problem is only caused by a small number of individuals who are engaged in this, and we are actively targeting these individuals," Ch Supt Dave Keller, of Greater Manchester Police, told reporters.
We need to make people face up to their responsibilities as parents and families John Reid Three injured in shootings Guns become 'status symbol' Police fight back against gunsWe need to make people face up to their responsibilities as parents and families John Reid Three injured in shootings Guns become 'status symbol' Police fight back against guns
Following the killing in Hackney, police are searching for two black men seen making off towards Digby Road.Following the killing in Hackney, police are searching for two black men seen making off towards Digby Road.
The victim was found in a Fiat Punto in Homerton High Street and was later taken to Homerton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The victim was shot as he went to get out of a grey Fiat Punto outside the Eko restaurant in Homerton High Street at about 0530 GMT.
Officers from the Metropolitan's Operation Trident unit are investigating the incident. He was taken by ambulance to Homerton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead 15 minutes later.
Armed officers from Operation Neon were deployed on south London streets overnight following the shootings there and carried out searches of suspicious vehicles. Det Supt Gary Richardson, of the Metropolitan Police's Operation Trident unit, said: "Almost immediately he was approached by two gunmen who opened fire.
Two people were arrested on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle and one on suspicion of possessing drugs. "He immediately put the vehicle into reverse and drove some 80 metres up the road, being chased by the two gunmen. The vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle.
On Friday, the father of Billy Cox, who was shot in his Clapham home on Valentine's Day, appealed for help in catching the killers of his son. "He attempted to get out and was immediately attacked again by the two gunmen who shot him in the street."
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest. Det Supt Richardson said they knew of no motive for the shooting but that it was "clearly a targeted incident where this individual was picked out".
Tommy Cox said his 16-year-old son was "not perfect" but he was "dearly loved as a son and brother". The man's name will not be released until a post-mortem examination is carried out on Sunday.
Armed officers were deployed on south London streets overnight in Operation Neon following the shootings there and carried out searches of suspicious vehicles.
Billy Cox, 16, of Clapham, who was killed on Wednesday, died from a gunshot wound to the chest, a post mortem has said.
His shooting followed the deaths of James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, and Michael Dosunmu, 15, who were gunned down in Streatham and Peckham respectively.His shooting followed the deaths of James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, and Michael Dosunmu, 15, who were gunned down in Streatham and Peckham respectively.
Community leaders gathered in Peckham on Saturday to protest the sale of replica guns on the streets.
DJ Prophetess told BBC News: "I feel that gun crime is like a disease that has not been treated and so it has spread and got out of hand."
In response to the killings, Home Secretary John Reid announced he was investigating handing out tougher sentences to tackle gun crime and gang culture.In response to the killings, Home Secretary John Reid announced he was investigating handing out tougher sentences to tackle gun crime and gang culture.
"I have also asked my lawyers to look at ways of possibly strengthening legislation and, where appropriate, sentencing," he said, following a meeting with MPs and senior police officers. "We also need to make people face up to their responsibilities as parents and families and last but not least we need to empower local communities," he said.
"We also need to make people face up to their responsibilities as parents and families and last but not least we need to empower local communities." But Professor Rod Morgan, who last month resigned as head of the Youth Justice Board, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme tougher sentences would be of "very little relevance".
But Professor Rod Morgan, who last month resigned as head of the Youth Justice Board, said tougher sentences would be of "very little relevance".
"In all honesty, deterrents only work if people are likely to be caught. The real deterrent is the prospect of getting caught," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"The subsequent punishment, whether it's three years, five years or more, is of very little relevance in terms of deterring the behaviour."
He said police working on the ground to help prevent the problems from escalating was the most important action needed.