A 7-year-old boy shot in the leg along with his mother in Winton, Salford, could hold the key to catching the despicable thugs who attacked them, say police.
Christian Hickey and his mum, 29-year-old Jayne, were attacked as they opened the door to two gunmen, who callously shot the pair.
On Wednesday 14 October the boy underwent a second surgery on his left leg, with doctors handing to police forensic teams a bullet casing extracted from the limb.
The attack made national headlines, with Greater Manchester Police calling the horrific shooting “a turning point” for the community coming forward to stop organised crime.
Read: Mum and 7-year-old son shot in the legs on Gillingham Road, Winton
Watch: Outrage over Salford horror shootings: ‘City in fear’ demands police response
Assistant Chief Constable Rebekah Sutcliffe said: “It will be a long road to recovery for the boy and he will be having a further operation tomorrow, but he has been well enough to be interviewed by officers.
“We are making progress in the investigation and we hope the bullets will give us a clue as to the identity of the offender.”
Shortly after 9.25pm on Monday 12 October 2015, two men walked up to the front door of their home on Gillingham Road in Winton, Salford and knocked on the door.
Jayne answered, and her 7-year-old also came to the door.
After a brief conversation one of the men fired three targeted shots, hitting Jayne in both legs and her son in his left leg.
The first offender is described as white, between 19 and 20-years-old, of ‘chunky’ build and was wearing a baseball cap. He spoke slowly and with a Salford accent.
The second man is described as white and was also wearing a baseball cap.
Police were clear that the shooting was not random but a deliberate attack on a defenceless child and his mother.
Detectives have interview the young boy and hope to interview Jayne on Thursday 15 October. She remains in a stable condition in hospital.
ACC Sutcliffe added: “Despite our pleas yesterday for the community to tell us what they know, we are still being met with a wall of silence.
“A seven-year-old boy has been shot and we cannot allow any more children to get caught in the middle of this violent feud, but we cannot do this alone.
“These sickening attacks are putting children and innocent people at risk and we need the people of Salford to stand with us and tell us what they know.
“I understand that people are reluctant to talk to police, but if you know who is behind these horrific shootings, your information could help to stop further atrocities in your community.
“If you come forward with what you know, we can offer you complete anonymity and I assure you that you will have our full support. Or if you don’t feel you can talk to police but you have information, you can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.
“Be brave, break your silence, and help us to catch the gunmen and stop the shootings.”
A dedicated information hotline has been set up on 0161 856 9775, or people can also pass information on by calling 101, or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
