This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/5332918.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Boy's shooting could be 'mistake' | Boy's shooting could be 'mistake' |
(10 minutes later) | |
A 15-year-old boy shot dead in the Moss Side area of Manchester could have been the victim of mistaken identity, police have said. | A 15-year-old boy shot dead in the Moss Side area of Manchester could have been the victim of mistaken identity, police have said. |
A post-mortem examination showed Jessie James was killed by three bullets - two to his torso and one to his appendix. | A post-mortem examination showed Jessie James was killed by three bullets - two to his torso and one to his appendix. |
His mother Barbara Reid described her son as a bubbly boy, loved by everyone. | His mother Barbara Reid described her son as a bubbly boy, loved by everyone. |
Det Supt Tony Cook of Greater Manchester Police said: "There's no shred of evidence to suggest he was a member of any gang." | Det Supt Tony Cook of Greater Manchester Police said: "There's no shred of evidence to suggest he was a member of any gang." |
Det Supt Cook said the teenager was killed with a semi-automatic pistol in a park on Raby Street in the early hours of Saturday. | Det Supt Cook said the teenager was killed with a semi-automatic pistol in a park on Raby Street in the early hours of Saturday. |
Everyone loved Jessie and it doesn't make sense that he's been killed Barbara Reid, mother | Everyone loved Jessie and it doesn't make sense that he's been killed Barbara Reid, mother |
The police were keeping an open mind over the motive for the shooting, he said. | The police were keeping an open mind over the motive for the shooting, he said. |
"The most likely explanation is that Jessie was in the wrong place at the wrong time," he added. | "The most likely explanation is that Jessie was in the wrong place at the wrong time," he added. |
"It probably was mistaken identity." | "It probably was mistaken identity." |
The detective also said, "We are pursuing some very fruitful lines of inquiry." | The detective also said, "We are pursuing some very fruitful lines of inquiry." |
Jessie's mother said: "Everyone loved Jessie and it doesn't make sense that he's been killed. | Jessie's mother said: "Everyone loved Jessie and it doesn't make sense that he's been killed. |
"He was everyone's friend and didn't care about people's background, colour, religion or anything - he was a just an open-minded, friendly person who loved being around others. He mixed with everyone." | "He was everyone's friend and didn't care about people's background, colour, religion or anything - he was a just an open-minded, friendly person who loved being around others. He mixed with everyone." |
Family appeal | Family appeal |
Ms Reid said her son used to attend church with her, and remembered what he had learnt from the Bible. | Ms Reid said her son used to attend church with her, and remembered what he had learnt from the Bible. |
In a joint statement, the family appealed to the community to help catch the killers. | In a joint statement, the family appealed to the community to help catch the killers. |
Moss Side has had a reputation for gang warfare | |
"If you know what happened or know who's responsible, then please don't shield them," they said. | "If you know what happened or know who's responsible, then please don't shield them," they said. |
"How would you feel if this was your son or your brother? How would you feel if you were hearing reports your relative had been murdered?" | "How would you feel if this was your son or your brother? How would you feel if you were hearing reports your relative had been murdered?" |
Jessie lived in Greame Street, Moss Side and attended the nearby Manchester Academy High School. | Jessie lived in Greame Street, Moss Side and attended the nearby Manchester Academy High School. |
His killing on Raby Street comes less than three months after 45-year-old Ernest Gifford was shot at home on Raby Street. | His killing on Raby Street comes less than three months after 45-year-old Ernest Gifford was shot at home on Raby Street. |
And last month, three men were shot and wounded in two separate incidents in other parts of Moss Side. | And last month, three men were shot and wounded in two separate incidents in other parts of Moss Side. |
Concern is now mounting among locals the area could once again be a centre of gun violence and police have stepped up patrols to reassure residents. | Concern is now mounting among locals the area could once again be a centre of gun violence and police have stepped up patrols to reassure residents. |