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Indian student murdered in Salford street attack | Indian student murdered in Salford street attack |
(40 minutes later) | |
A 23-year-old student from India has died after he was shot in the head at close range, in what police say was an "unprovoked attack" in a street. | A 23-year-old student from India has died after he was shot in the head at close range, in what police say was an "unprovoked attack" in a street. |
Greater Manchester Police said Anuj Bidve was with nine students, all Indians, when they were approached by two men early on Monday in Salford. | Greater Manchester Police said Anuj Bidve was with nine students, all Indians, when they were approached by two men early on Monday in Salford. |
Following a "very short" conversation, one of the men pulled out a handgun and shot the Lancaster University student. | Following a "very short" conversation, one of the men pulled out a handgun and shot the Lancaster University student. |
The gunman was described as white, in his mid-20s, and of slim build. | The gunman was described as white, in his mid-20s, and of slim build. |
He was said to be wearing a grey top and his accomplice was described as of heavier build and wearing a black jacket. | He was said to be wearing a grey top and his accomplice was described as of heavier build and wearing a black jacket. |
The men fled towards Asgard Drive following Monday's shooting. | The men fled towards Asgard Drive following Monday's shooting. |
Police said the group of male and female students, who had been staying in a nearby hotel for a break over Christmas, had given initial witness statements and were "in a safe place" with police until they returned to their university. | Police said the group of male and female students, who had been staying in a nearby hotel for a break over Christmas, had given initial witness statements and were "in a safe place" with police until they returned to their university. |
Mr Bidve's parents, who are in India, have been informed of his death. His Facebook profile states his hometown as Pune, in Maharashtra. | |
Chief Supt Kevin Mulligan said he did not want to go into details about the conversation the students had had with the gunman. | Chief Supt Kevin Mulligan said he did not want to go into details about the conversation the students had had with the gunman. |
He said "This appears to be an unprovoked attack and we can't establish a motive at this time. | He said "This appears to be an unprovoked attack and we can't establish a motive at this time. |
"We are investigating every possible aspect and we are in the early stages of the investigation, but we are not ruling anything out." | "We are investigating every possible aspect and we are in the early stages of the investigation, but we are not ruling anything out." |
Mr Mulligan said a racial motive was not being ruled out. | Mr Mulligan said a racial motive was not being ruled out. |
The force has increased patrols in the area and officers from Greater Manchester Police's major incident team are working alongside neighbourhood officers investigating the shooting. | The force has increased patrols in the area and officers from Greater Manchester Police's major incident team are working alongside neighbourhood officers investigating the shooting. |
Mr Mulligan extended "deepest sympathies" to Mr Bidve's family and friends. | Mr Mulligan extended "deepest sympathies" to Mr Bidve's family and friends. |
"I believe the answers to who did this will lie in our community," he said. | "I believe the answers to who did this will lie in our community," he said. |
"Someone will know who was responsible and I want to implore those people to be courageous. | "Someone will know who was responsible and I want to implore those people to be courageous. |
"Please, if you know something, then do what is right and come forward - anonymously if necessary. | "Please, if you know something, then do what is right and come forward - anonymously if necessary. |
"If it was your brother, son, husband or friend who was killed while visiting another city, you would want justice, so please help us do the same." | "If it was your brother, son, husband or friend who was killed while visiting another city, you would want justice, so please help us do the same." |
Friends have left tributes on Mr Bidve's Facebook page, including "i cant believe this has happened man........ i remember the discussion we had about our future plans just a few days back...... :'( I hope and pray God gives your family and friends courage to handle this loss...... You will be missed," one said. | |
Another tribute said: "cnt believe that someone so full of life had his life ruthlessly taken away from him for no mistake of his own...rest in peace. u will be missed . may god give ur family the strength to face this .... hope justice sees light soon." | |
Earlier Lancaster University had confirmed that the victim was a postgraduate student who had been studying micro-electronics. | |
"Our thoughts are with his family at this time, and counselling and support has been organised for his fellow students who are deeply upset," it said. | |
Witnesses or anyone with information about the killing should contact police or Crimestoppers. | Witnesses or anyone with information about the killing should contact police or Crimestoppers. |