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Stretford shooting victim loses fight for life

1:58pm Tuesday 22nd January 2008

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By Simon Greenhalgh »

UPDATE - A murder inquiry has been launched after the 20-years-old man shot in Stretford on Saturday night died this morning.

Detectives investigating Halton McCollin's murder are now appealing directly to people who were in the area when he was shot to come forward.

"This is the tragic loss of a promising young man who was on track to really make something of his life"

Supt John Graves

The 20-year-old promising footballer died around 10.30am this morning.

He had been rushed to hospital after he was shot in the China Gardens takeaway on Chester Road.

Since then Halton had been in intensive care fighting for his life with his family by his side.

Some of the comments left on this message board have been upsetting for Halton's family so a separate tribute page has been set up, please click here to leave your tribute.All tributes previously left below have been moved to this section.

His injuries were too extensive however.

Halton was born and brought up in Trafford and had been living in a flat on Seymour Grove in recent months.

Halton went to Parrs Wood High School where he worked hard and developed his love for football. He dedicated much of his time to training and playing the sport he loved.

He had a job working as a call-taker with Norwich Union in Stretford, and played semi-professional football to a high standard at Flixton FC.

On Saturday he had gone to the takeaway to get some food with his friends when he was shot.

It is believed that two masked men, one holding a gun, ran into the takeaway just after 8.45pm and a number of shots were fired. Halton was found bleeding badly from his wound.

Nobody else was injured in the incident.

Today Halton's family have paid tribute to a "loving" son, and have spoken of their disbelief that this could happen.

Halton's dad made the following statement: "Halton was a loving older half-brother to his younger brother and sister, who are only eight and four.

"I just cannot believe that this has happened to my son. He was such a thoughtful boy with a great sense of humour. He was sport mad. He was always either watching or playing football, and was totally loyal to his team and coach. I am just devastated that he's gone."

Halton's mother also described her shock at her son's murder, and appealed to the community to come forward and assist police.

"Halton was a very sociable person and was totally loyal to his friends and family. I am in complete shock about this.

"I really want to urge you to talk to the police if you know anything about who killed my son, or why he was killed. Halton would have wanted you to come forward and get him some justice. The police need your help. Please think of my son and do what you can."

CCTV footage from outside the takeaway, and the nearby Gorse Hill pub, clearly shows several people who could be potential witnesses to this murder.

Superintendent John Graves, who is working closely with the team investigating Halton's murder, said: "This is the tragic loss of a promising young man who was on track to really make something of his life.

"His footballing career had every chance of flourishing as Flixton was a good springboard for youngsters to get interest from bigger clubs. Now his family will have to live never knowing what he could have achieved.

"My colleagues investigating this appalling crime have viewed CCTV footage from the area and there are clearly several people present who are vital witnesses to this murder.

"You know who you are and I appeal directly to you to come and speak to us. I would challenge you to stay silent if you could see how heartbroken Halton's family are.

"For the sake of them, and for Halton, pick up the phone and tell us what you know. Your call will be treated in the strictest of confidence."

Anyone with any information about this shooting is asked to contact the major incident room on 0161 856 4159 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The shooting is the third serious incident in the last month.

A 23-year-old man was shot in the chest in Old Trafford on January 11 at about 8.45am.

The incident occured after the victim and a friend, had been sat in a Vauxhall Astra parked on Coleby Avenue when they were approached by a number of men and one of them fired a hand gun.

In an another incident a 42-year-old man was left in a serious condition after he was shot in the back on Washbrook Drive in Stretford on December 31.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Some of the comments left on this message board have been upsetting for Halton's family so a separate tribute page has been set up, please click here to leave your tribute.All tributes previously left below have been moved to this section.

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Your Say YourTrafford

Mark, Stretford says...
7:28pm Sun 20 Jan 08

Not that Im suggesting the gang tag that recently appeared in Stretford had anything to do with this, but the number of gun crimes occurring in Stretford recently seems worringly high. When small crimes such as the recent lead thefts are utterly ignored by council and police alike, other criminals will feel they can do anything they want and crime escalates to levels not previously seen before.

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Mark, Stretford says...
7:28pm Sun 20 Jan 08

Not that Im suggesting the gang tag that recently appeared in Stretford had anything to do with this, but the number of gun crimes occurring in Stretford recently seems worringly high. When small crimes such as the recent lead thefts are utterly ignored by council and police alike, other criminals will feel they can do anything they want and crime escalates to levels not previously seen before.

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strewth!, says...
7:40pm Sun 20 Jan 08

yer not wrong. trafford in general is like the wild west on a weekend these days.

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strewth!, says...
7:40pm Sun 20 Jan 08

yer not wrong. trafford in general is like the wild west on a weekend these days.

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billie, stretford says...
12:48am Mon 21 Jan 08

clamp down on hoodies, clampdown on cyclists with no lights, roaming groups. cobblers. mob rule o.k.
quote

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billie, stretford says...
12:48am Mon 21 Jan 08

clamp down on hoodies, clampdown on cyclists with no lights, roaming groups. cobblers. mob rule o.k.
quote

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KJ, Stretford says...
8:53am Mon 21 Jan 08

I have lived in Stretford all my life, but am sick of having my car vandalised or broken into. I work for what I have (which isnt much) and have a teenage daughter myself. My daughter does not hang around in a gang, roaming the streets so why are there those that do?? Crime in Stretford is getting worse who will fight for it to be stopped, how will it be stopped and when??

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KJ, Stretford says...
8:53am Mon 21 Jan 08

I have lived in Stretford all my life, but am sick of having my car vandalised or broken into. I work for what I have (which isnt much) and have a teenage daughter myself. My daughter does not hang around in a gang, roaming the streets so why are there those that do?? Crime in Stretford is getting worse who will fight for it to be stopped, how will it be stopped and when??

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Mark, Stretford says...
10:19am Mon 21 Jan 08

Stretford is not a bad place to live as in all areas the majority are good law abiding people. A lot of the crimes are committed by people coming from outside Stretford.Teenagers wander the streets because their parents allow them to. As someone stated crime is getting worse because the little crimes that are committed are completely ignored by police. I am not blaming the police here, rather government policy that does not give them enough money to do the job and sets ridiculous targets. There is no deterrent at all anymore, prison should be a feared place to go, not tvs and playstations. I have been mugged twice and been told theres nothing the police can do. The advice was to allow them to mug you and dont fight back. recently the houses on our street had all the lead removed from them. The thieves had the cheek to come back two days later to finish the job knowing full well the police were not going to be around. A letter to the commanding officer who I notice has just received an award elicited no response at all. What hope is there if the police and government arent interested in fighting the small crimes, small crimes yes, but these are the ones that affect us the most. it will only escalate until they start from the bottom of the crime scale up.

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Mark, Stretford says...
10:19am Mon 21 Jan 08

Stretford is not a bad place to live as in all areas the majority are good law abiding people. A lot of the crimes are committed by people coming from outside Stretford.Teenagers wander the streets because their parents allow them to. As someone stated crime is getting worse because the little crimes that are committed are completely ignored by police. I am not blaming the police here, rather government policy that does not give them enough money to do the job and sets ridiculous targets. There is no deterrent at all anymore, prison should be a feared place to go, not tvs and playstations. I have been mugged twice and been told theres nothing the police can do. The advice was to allow them to mug you and dont fight back. recently the houses on our street had all the lead removed from them. The thieves had the cheek to come back two days later to finish the job knowing full well the police were not going to be around. A letter to the commanding officer who I notice has just received an award elicited no response at all. What hope is there if the police and government arent interested in fighting the small crimes, small crimes yes, but these are the ones that affect us the most. it will only escalate until they start from the bottom of the crime scale up.

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Gorsehillian, Gorse Hill says...
11:51am Mon 21 Jan 08

The Gorsehill Pub in Stretford is partly to blame for the gun culture and the gangs that hang around on the front of Chester Road. Lads on bikes are allowed to go in the pub even though they are underaged and these are the lads that are mugging people and intimidating the punters who normally go in the Gorse. I know for a fact that the lad who has been shot is one of the lads that hangs around with this gang. My heart goes out to him and i really do hope he pulls through as he is just a kid but is the law going to step up now and sort this ongoing battle out? no are they hell. It's been stated that the have heightened the police presence on Chester Road following the shooting but what use is that? Someone has already been shot, it needed doing months ago! The Gorse and Milton Close need bull dozing because that is where these people congregate. Its just a sad shame that this boy has been shot and it wasn't just a body shot he has been shot in the head so these brainless scum bags had intentions to kill, not wound KILL. Lets see how long they get in prison, 6-7 years max and out in 4 for good behaviour on a charge of manslaughter, its a joke. This country is a joke and there is nothing you or i can do about it. The do gooders at the top are the ones that need shooting, if you do the crime you do the time. Minimum 15 years for carrying a gun, 10 for carrying a knife even if you dont use it thats what i think. Stop banging people up for not paying their council tax and saying the prisons are full when it comes to locking up the real criminals!

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Gorsehillian, Gorse Hill says...
11:51am Mon 21 Jan 08

The Gorsehill Pub in Stretford is partly to blame for the gun culture and the gangs that hang around on the front of Chester Road. Lads on bikes are allowed to go in the pub even though they are underaged and these are the lads that are mugging people and intimidating the punters who normally go in the Gorse. I know for a fact that the lad who has been shot is one of the lads that hangs around with this gang. My heart goes out to him and i really do hope he pulls through as he is just a kid but is the law going to step up now and sort this ongoing battle out? no are they hell. It's been stated that the have heightened the police presence on Chester Road following the shooting but what use is that? Someone has already been shot, it needed doing months ago! The Gorse and Milton Close need bull dozing because that is where these people congregate. Its just a sad shame that this boy has been shot and it wasn't just a body shot he has been shot in the head so these brainless scum bags had intentions to kill, not wound KILL. Lets see how long they get in prison, 6-7 years max and out in 4 for good behaviour on a charge of manslaughter, its a joke. This country is a joke and there is nothing you or i can do about it. The do gooders at the top are the ones that need shooting, if you do the crime you do the time. Minimum 15 years for carrying a gun, 10 for carrying a knife even if you dont use it thats what i think. Stop banging people up for not paying their council tax and saying the prisons are full when it comes to locking up the real criminals!

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woza, Gorse hill says...
1:19pm Mon 21 Jan 08

How Gorsehillian can say the Gorse hill pub can be to blame for the gun culture is behond me This shooting was wateing to happen Milton close is knowen for its drug culture in the area and most of the bike gangs come from old trafford and meet up with are own gangs on chester road outside the pub and shops their is a cctv cam over the road from the gorse does this work or not when the police do come and have a look the gangs just move to a diffrent street or the park and top fields givein more problams to residents its time the police and council did something about this problum now its well out of hand then we can have the peace of mind to wark past the gangs of lads and girls without being insulted.

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woza, Gorse hill says...
1:19pm Mon 21 Jan 08

How Gorsehillian can say the Gorse hill pub can be to blame for the gun culture is behond me This shooting was wateing to happen Milton close is knowen for its drug culture in the area and most of the bike gangs come from old trafford and meet up with are own gangs on chester road outside the pub and shops their is a cctv cam over the road from the gorse does this work or not when the police do come and have a look the gangs just move to a diffrent street or the park and top fields givein more problams to residents its time the police and council did something about this problum now its well out of hand then we can have the peace of mind to wark past the gangs of lads and girls without being insulted.

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david, manchester says...
1:48pm Mon 21 Jan 08

I say flatten milton close - think of the income support we would save.

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david, manchester says...
1:48pm Mon 21 Jan 08

I say flatten milton close - think of the income support we would save.

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Lisa, manchester says...
2:09pm Mon 21 Jan 08

its about time parents took more notice of what their children are upto, it wouldnt suprise me if famiilies round there didnt really care to be honest, its not a nice place. i used to go into the mentioned pub and it did seem to attract youth gangs there is no way you would catch me in there nowadays!!!!

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Lisa, manchester says...
2:09pm Mon 21 Jan 08

its about time parents took more notice of what their children are upto, it wouldnt suprise me if famiilies round there didnt really care to be honest, its not a nice place. i used to go into the mentioned pub and it did seem to attract youth gangs there is no way you would catch me in there nowadays!!!!

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Old Traffordian, Old Trafford says...
2:44pm Mon 21 Jan 08

I agree with the Gorsehillian. My heart goes out to the family that would of got a call early hours to say there son had been shot - every mothers nightmare. I also agree in saying that the Gorse pub is to blame for the congregation of all of the gangs, it is a place for them all to "hook up" and does anyone do anything about it NO they just leave them to it. I used to go that pub every single week and have been driven away from all of the gangs that are in there the name calling the square dancing just to get through the door. How can people say the parents should be aware of whats going on what you gonna say to your 16 year old son "you are grounded" I DONT THINK SO! The saying "you are what you hang with" is so true!

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Old Traffordian, Old Trafford says...
2:44pm Mon 21 Jan 08

I agree with the Gorsehillian. My heart goes out to the family that would of got a call early hours to say there son had been shot - every mothers nightmare. I also agree in saying that the Gorse pub is to blame for the congregation of all of the gangs, it is a place for them all to "hook up" and does anyone do anything about it NO they just leave them to it. I used to go that pub every single week and have been driven away from all of the gangs that are in there the name calling the square dancing just to get through the door. How can people say the parents should be aware of whats going on what you gonna say to your 16 year old son "you are grounded" I DONT THINK SO! The saying "you are what you hang with" is so true!

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Macca, Stretford says...
2:52pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Gorse hill is a nice place with nice people. It's just outsiders have now decided to hang about outside and in the Gorse pub when they are mainly underaged. I know for a fact that pub lets people do drugs in there. If there's a place for these scroates to go with no hassle then thats where they will go and unfortunately it's the Gorse in this case. That pub has gone down hill. None of the regulars from my day will go near it. The china garden where the young man was shot is next door but 2 to the Gorse, if that pub was not there then i can guarantee that that young man would not have been where he was the night he was shot. Its not fair on the nice kids that hang around there as they are all looked upon as bad news when they are not. It's the lot from Old Trafford that have brought Gorse Hill to it's knees.

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Macca, Stretford says...
2:52pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Gorse hill is a nice place with nice people. It's just outsiders have now decided to hang about outside and in the Gorse pub when they are mainly underaged. I know for a fact that pub lets people do drugs in there. If there's a place for these scroates to go with no hassle then thats where they will go and unfortunately it's the Gorse in this case. That pub has gone down hill. None of the regulars from my day will go near it. The china garden where the young man was shot is next door but 2 to the Gorse, if that pub was not there then i can guarantee that that young man would not have been where he was the night he was shot. Its not fair on the nice kids that hang around there as they are all looked upon as bad news when they are not. It's the lot from Old Trafford that have brought Gorse Hill to it's knees.

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Mark, Stretford says...
3:08pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Its true what Macca says, Gorse Hill and Stretford are still decent places to live in. I am proud of living in Stretford. I just wish the council would sort out the muggings and now shootings which often are caused by people outside of this area. When I was mugged I saw the car they got into and it headed straight for Old trafford. Again on Milton close Im sure some of the families are law abiding families, you cant tar them all with this behaviour. As I and others have said there is just no deterrant to committing such crimes, as we have sadly seen with the case in Warrington recently. Prison needs to be a terrible experience, of course try and reform them but dont give them tv's and playstations! Some parents are a disgrace too for allowing their children to stay on street corners like this! When was the last time the council actually invested any money into Gorse Hill and Stretford?! Probably when they built that statue thing on the canal..........

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Mark, Stretford says...
3:08pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Its true what Macca says, Gorse Hill and Stretford are still decent places to live in. I am proud of living in Stretford. I just wish the council would sort out the muggings and now shootings which often are caused by people outside of this area. When I was mugged I saw the car they got into and it headed straight for Old trafford. Again on Milton close Im sure some of the families are law abiding families, you cant tar them all with this behaviour. As I and others have said there is just no deterrant to committing such crimes, as we have sadly seen with the case in Warrington recently. Prison needs to be a terrible experience, of course try and reform them but dont give them tv's and playstations! Some parents are a disgrace too for allowing their children to stay on street corners like this! When was the last time the council actually invested any money into Gorse Hill and Stretford?! Probably when they built that statue thing on the canal..........

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Old Traffordian, Old Trafford says...
3:15pm Mon 21 Jan 08

How can you say you seen the car heading straight for old Trafford how do ya know it was not heading towards Hulme? Mosside? Salford. Old Trafford has always carried its name and is not even as bad as it was! i would walk down the street in Old Trafford at night rather than a street in gorsehill!

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Old Traffordian, Old Trafford says...
3:15pm Mon 21 Jan 08

How can you say you seen the car heading straight for old Trafford how do ya know it was not heading towards Hulme? Mosside? Salford. Old Trafford has always carried its name and is not even as bad as it was! i would walk down the street in Old Trafford at night rather than a street in gorsehill!

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Sally, Stretford says...
3:31pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Lets not argue about which area these horrid people come from. The police have to do something about it now before it gets even worse than it is now! All areas have their good and bad people.

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Sally, Stretford says...
3:31pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Lets not argue about which area these horrid people come from. The police have to do something about it now before it gets even worse than it is now! All areas have their good and bad people.

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Macca, stretford says...
3:37pm Mon 21 Jan 08

to be fair i wouldn't feel safe walking down the street in Old Trafford or Stretford at the moment. Its true there has been no money invested in GH or Stretford. The youth club has been shut down but that was because people kept robbing the coke machine and the office and the staff couldn't stop the gangs congregating outside. I don't know the answer. Tougher sentences need too be put inplace, if the b4stard who shot this lad gets 7 years or less its a joke and to me condones their behaviour. Prison should be a place where they dread not a place where they look at as a stop gap to earn a name for themselves cos they 'shot' someone. big wow, i hope they are haunted for life and die in the worst way possible, bring back the death penalty i say, a life for a life! I have heard these so called gangs say things to the POLICE about other citizens like ' i might accidentaly come back with a gun and start shooting people, i will do ten years for you i will only be 27 by the time i get out and you will be brown bread' the police then just move these little specimens on rather than detaining them. The police need more power or this will NEVER stop. How many more lives are going to be ruined? I feel for the families because of their loss and hope whoever did this get what they deserve.

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Macca, stretford says...
3:37pm Mon 21 Jan 08

to be fair i wouldn't feel safe walking down the street in Old Trafford or Stretford at the moment. Its true there has been no money invested in GH or Stretford. The youth club has been shut down but that was because people kept robbing the coke machine and the office and the staff couldn't stop the gangs congregating outside. I don't know the answer. Tougher sentences need too be put inplace, if the b4stard who shot this lad gets 7 years or less its a joke and to me condones their behaviour. Prison should be a place where they dread not a place where they look at as a stop gap to earn a name for themselves cos they 'shot' someone. big wow, i hope they are haunted for life and die in the worst way possible, bring back the death penalty i say, a life for a life! I have heard these so called gangs say things to the POLICE about other citizens like ' i might accidentaly come back with a gun and start shooting people, i will do ten years for you i will only be 27 by the time i get out and you will be brown bread' the police then just move these little specimens on rather than detaining them. The police need more power or this will NEVER stop. How many more lives are going to be ruined? I feel for the families because of their loss and hope whoever did this get what they deserve.

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inner city life, says...
3:49pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Gorse hill is a nice place with nice people. It's just outsiders have now decided to hang about outside and in the Gorse pub when they are mainly underaged. I know for a fact that pub lets people do drugs in there.


drugs allowed? nice place? lovely.

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inner city life, says...
3:49pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Gorse hill is a nice place with nice people. It's just outsiders have now decided to hang about outside and in the Gorse pub when they are mainly underaged. I know for a fact that pub lets people do drugs in there.


drugs allowed? nice place? lovely.

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Old Traffordian, Old Trafford says...
3:51pm Mon 21 Jan 08

I agree with you both. There is nothing for the youths to do anymore there is no where for them to go! But how these people sleep at night i will never no! Its a cruel cruel world that we will live in now and its all about survival of the fittest! Its sh!t

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Old Traffordian, Old Trafford says...
3:51pm Mon 21 Jan 08

I agree with you both. There is nothing for the youths to do anymore there is no where for them to go! But how these people sleep at night i will never no! Its a cruel cruel world that we will live in now and its all about survival of the fittest! Its sh!t

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Mike, Stretford says...
3:58pm Mon 21 Jan 08

God we are all depressed arent we? Yes it is a cruel world with some horrible people in, but despite all this there are people out there who do good, and want to achieve something that helps their community, people from Old trafford, Gorse Hill, Stretford. Its these that should be supported more by the council and the police. However there is still stuff for youths to, there are 100's of amateur football teams for one, cubs and scouts still exist however dated it maybe to some so you cant use that as an excuse for staying out late at night, mugging people, shooting people etc. Of course there should be a lot more for young people to do, but this wouldnt solve everything. The lack of example from these childrens parents and the lack of deterrant from the law is everything to do with it!

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Mike, Stretford says...
3:58pm Mon 21 Jan 08

God we are all depressed arent we? Yes it is a cruel world with some horrible people in, but despite all this there are people out there who do good, and want to achieve something that helps their community, people from Old trafford, Gorse Hill, Stretford. Its these that should be supported more by the council and the police. However there is still stuff for youths to, there are 100's of amateur football teams for one, cubs and scouts still exist however dated it maybe to some so you cant use that as an excuse for staying out late at night, mugging people, shooting people etc. Of course there should be a lot more for young people to do, but this wouldnt solve everything. The lack of example from these childrens parents and the lack of deterrant from the law is everything to do with it!

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J, stretford says...
4:35pm Mon 21 Jan 08

stop talking rubbish!! The lad involved was not part of the 'gang' as you put it, ignorant bunch of small minded people. He worked a full time job round the corner from where it happened, all he did was be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and in my opinion they may have thought he was someone else. why do people assume so much before the evidence is presented, its a pity you do this to hoodies rather than peadophones and rapist!

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J, stretford says...
4:35pm Mon 21 Jan 08

stop talking rubbish!! The lad involved was not part of the 'gang' as you put it, ignorant bunch of small minded people. He worked a full time job round the corner from where it happened, all he did was be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and in my opinion they may have thought he was someone else. why do people assume so much before the evidence is presented, its a pity you do this to hoodies rather than peadophones and rapist!

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shi, stretford says...
5:23pm Mon 21 Jan 08

rite just for all you hipacritical people tarding the boy that got shot as a so called "gang member" why dont you stop talking rubbish! i bet half of you didn't no him so dont start talking rubbish making claims that he was! because ill tell you now he was an average 20 yr old with a job and a flat and doing well for himself in life so u tel me how he was a gang member!?? because theres plenty of people that will tel you he aint! and yh gun crimes going crazy but it aint always the guilty one's that get shot! n if thats all use ave got to say i dont think any one who nos him wants to hear!

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shi, stretford says...
5:23pm Mon 21 Jan 08

rite just for all you hipacritical people tarding the boy that got shot as a so called "gang member" why dont you stop talking rubbish! i bet half of you didn't no him so dont start talking rubbish making claims that he was! because ill tell you now he was an average 20 yr old with a job and a flat and doing well for himself in life so u tel me how he was a gang member!?? because theres plenty of people that will tel you he aint! and yh gun crimes going crazy but it aint always the guilty one's that get shot! n if thats all use ave got to say i dont think any one who nos him wants to hear!

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Adam, Stretford says...
5:49pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Yes J from Stretford, peadophones indeed!!
Can't any of you lot spell!

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Adam, Stretford says...
5:49pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Yes J from Stretford, peadophones indeed!!
Can't any of you lot spell!

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ste w, stretford says...
6:16pm Mon 21 Jan 08

hope the kid pulls thru,its a bad town thoughts r wiv family.

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ste w, stretford says...
6:16pm Mon 21 Jan 08

hope the kid pulls thru,its a bad town thoughts r wiv family.

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K, Didsbury says...
6:33pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Well said Shi/J. I grew up with him when he lived in didsbury for years - would him actually coming from a different area make him seem less likely to be 'in a gang'? He was one of the funniest people i remember and he was a nice person & I can't believe this has happened to him. I don't think we should accuse him of anything or say 'he brought it on himself' until we get some real facts.
Can we point out that had it happened somewhere else, would this have been seen as an unprovoked attack? What matters right now is that people actually are thinking about the family and his friends that have been affected by this. He is fighting for his life.

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K, Didsbury says...
6:33pm Mon 21 Jan 08

Well said Shi/J. I grew up with him when he lived in didsbury for years - would him actually coming from a different area make him seem less likely to be 'in a gang'? He was one of the funniest people i remember and he was a nice person & I can't believe this has happened to him. I don't think we should accuse him of anything or say 'he brought it on himself' until we get some real facts.
Can we point out that had it happened somewhere else, would this have been seen as an unprovoked attack? What matters right now is that people actually are thinking about the family and his friends that have been affected by this. He is fighting for his life.

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fed up, stretford says...
6:35pm Mon 21 Jan 08

the person that was shot was not in a gang and had apprantly 'dissed' the gang of lads that hang round there.
its the same group of lads that go round on bikes, hanging outside the pub, captian cook and haydock close. lots of complaints have gone in and nothing is ever done. why are the parents allowed to keep their house and let this happen. why dont police have the power to charge them for loitering. walking round now is getting a joke. i used to live in old trafford and it was never as bad as this, when there was a so called 'dissing' it was a one on one fight and it was dealt with without weapons and you earned a **** sight more respect.

the people who done this are nothing but coward scum.

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fed up, stretford says...
6:35pm Mon 21 Jan 08

the person that was shot was not in a gang and had apprantly 'dissed' the gang of lads that hang round there.
its the same group of lads that go round on bikes, hanging outside the pub, captian cook and haydock close. lots of complaints have gone in and nothing is ever done. why are the parents allowed to keep their house and let this happen. why dont police have the power to charge them for loitering. walking round now is getting a joke. i used to live in old trafford and it was never as bad as this, when there was a so called 'dissing' it was a one on one fight and it was dealt with without weapons and you earned a **** sight more respect.

the people who done this are nothing but coward scum.

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K, Didsbury says...
6:36pm Mon 21 Jan 08

..and by the way 'adam', the fact that some people aren't very good at spelling doesn't make their points less valid.

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K, Didsbury says...
6:36pm Mon 21 Jan 08

..and by the way 'adam', the fact that some people aren't very good at spelling doesn't make their points less valid.

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M,, Stretford says...
7:02pm Mon 21 Jan 08

I grew up on Ashover Street in gorse hill, and i remember them times as the best times of my life. because back then it was so different. i dnt remember any gangs or any shootings. there was the occaisional mugging like a kids bike getting taken. but thats all. i remember the community being so close, everybody on the street and the surrounding streets knew each other, u could play football and ride ur bikes in the streets without fear of gangs. and i think my parents sensed the area was goin downhill, thats when i moved in 1999. but dnt disresepect gorsehill cos i'm sure most residents are like everyone else. and just want it to end.

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M,, Stretford says...
7:02pm Mon 21 Jan 08

I grew up on Ashover Street in gorse hill, and i remember them times as the best times of my life. because back then it was so different. i dnt remember any gangs or any shootings. there was the occaisional mugging like a kids bike getting taken. but thats all. i remember the community being so close, everybody on the street and the surrounding streets knew each other, u could play football and ride ur bikes in the streets without fear of gangs. and i think my parents sensed the area was goin downhill, thats when i moved in 1999. but dnt disresepect gorsehill cos i'm sure most residents are like everyone else. and just want it to end.

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Sez, Stretford says...
7:38pm Mon 21 Jan 08

This guy who was shot is such a nice person. he is funny and smart. Whatever he has done in life in wud av never deserved this. I hope the person that did this is caughh and his family suffer jus like his are now.
'Hope You Pull Through and we are all thinkin of you. xxx'

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Sez, Stretford says...
7:38pm Mon 21 Jan 08

This guy who was shot is such a nice person. he is funny and smart. Whatever he has done in life in wud av never deserved this. I hope the person that did this is caughh and his family suffer jus like his are now.
'Hope You Pull Through and we are all thinkin of you. xxx'

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D, salford says...
8:24pm Mon 21 Jan 08

The young man shot today is a work collegue of mine, although still young, he commanded the respect of the men and women he works with because of his sense of humour and genuine good manners, he's a great lad. And whilst it's difficult not to jump to conclusions, people should think twice about posting comments on larger social issues at this difficult time.

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D, salford says...
8:24pm Mon 21 Jan 08

The young man shot today is a w