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Boy, 15, shot dead in city street Boy, 15, shot dead in city street
(about 2 hours later)
A 15-year-old boy who was found shot dead in Moss Side, Manchester, may have been targeted deliberately, police say. The police have appealed for help from the public to find the killer of a teenager shot dead in Manchester.
The boy was found unconscious and no longer breathing after police were called to a shooting incident in the early hours of Saturday. Detectives believe the shooting of the 15-year-old boy in the Moss Side area of the city was a planned attack - although they do not know the motive.
A murder inquiry has been opened and the Raby Street area sealed off for investigators to carry out a search. Superintendent John O'Hare, of Greater Manchester Police, is urging those with information to come forward.
The murder follows a series of shootings involving rival gangs in the south Manchester district. He said officers had been working with locals to tackle gun crime but this shooting had "bucked a trend".
Greater Manchester Police are urging anyone with information about the killing - which happened at about 0230 BST - to get in touch and are particularly keen to hear from the person who rang to alert them to the shooting. "I appeal for those who were involved in it to look at what's happened," he added.
Guns and drugs "If there are people that can stop this and have the power to stop it, I'm asking them to examine their consciences, think about the family, think about the community, and have the strength to put a stop to it."
Superintendent Tony Cook said: "We have reason to believe this was not a random shooting." The youngster, who has not been named, was found unconscious and no longer breathing after police were called to the incident at around 0230 BST on Saturday.
Moss Side has had a reputation for gang warfare A murder inquiry has been opened and the Raby Street area sealed off for investigators to carry out a detailed search around the crime scene, which backs on to part of Moss Side Community Park.
Police are carrying out enquiries at the scene in a bid to locate witnesses. The teenager's body was found near the park's swings and slide.
Forensic officers have erected a tent behind a basketball court next to the community centre and police tape has been strung around the area.
Guns and drugsMoss Side has had a reputation for gang warfare
The killing comes less than three months after 45-year-old Ernest Gifford was gunned down at his home on the street while his partner and her children were in the property.
Masked gunmen burst in, took Mr Gifford to a second room and shot him dead before fleeing.
Last month three men were shot and wounded in two separate incidents in Moss Side and concern is now mounting among locals the area could once again be a centre of gun violence.
One local resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I only moved here three months ago and I know Moss Side had a reputation, but I thought things were getting better.One local resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I only moved here three months ago and I know Moss Side had a reputation, but I thought things were getting better.
"The council has done quite a lot on improving the area, but you still have that element involved in guns and drugs. "The council has done quite a lot on improving the area, but you still have that element involved in guns and drugs."
"You see young lads hanging around all day on mountain bikes." A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out on the body of the teenager over the weekend.
A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out by a Home Office pathologist over the weekend.