First published 8.23am, updated 10.10am
A man was found shot in Ellesmere Park in Salford on Sunday evening.
Police sealed off Marlborough Road, a residential, leafy suburban street, at around 9pm after a 21-year-old man was discovered with gunshot wounds to the arm.
It’s understood he was blasted with a shotgun as he answered the door.
People living locally heard a motorbike accelerating aggressively from the scene.
His injuries were not fatal, but are described as serious.
Armed police escorted the victim to hospital by ambulance at around 9.15pm on Sunday.
He remains in hospital for treatment to his injuries.
It’s understood police are treating this was a targeted attack with no specific or ongoing threat to the wider community.
In a statment the force said: “Shortly before 9:20pm on Sunday 20 March 2016, police were called to reports that a man had been shot after answering the door of an address on Marlborough Road.
“Officers attended and found a 21-year-old man with gunshot wounds to his arm and damage to the front door of the property consistent with that of a shotgun discharge.”
The man’s family are believed to have only very recently moved to the area.
Residents reported hearing large numbers of police and ambulance sirens descending on the area at around 9pm.
Unusually, when first contacted by SalfordOnline.com in the early hours of Monday morning, police initially refused to confirm or deny any of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
A spokesman for the force said they were conducting a number of lines of enquiry.
Forensic teams joined officers at the scene cordoning off sections of Marlborough Road.
White-suited CSI officers were spotted taking photographs of the pavement outside one of the semi-detached houses.
Later, officers stood guard on the street on the opposite side to the house.
Neighbours were shocked by the incident and the level of police presence on what are normally quiet streets.
One local resident, who declined to be named, said: “I didn’t hear the shot.
“I’d returned from out of town, I got to Park Road at around 9pm and saw the police cars and ambulance and the road taped off.
“It’s scary to think of someone being shot near to you.
“It’s quite a quiet area normally. It’s the people they’re putting here recently that are the problem.”
The last firearms discharge in Salford was reported on Wednesday 9 March 2016 in Little Hulton, linked to drug dealing gang feuds.
Little Hulton shooting: Cocaine gang feud escalates with shotgun blast on Gorse Drive house
Recent: Man suffers seizure walking down street in Ellesmere Park
Ongoing investigation: CCTV of stalker in hi-vis who attacked woman in broad daylight
The Park Road side of Marlborough Road was taped off all evening and no pedestrians or cars were being allowed through.
Park Road junction with Marlborough Road, Ellesmere Park
This side from Google Street View shows the top of Park Road, going across Portland Road and leading on to Marlborough Road, a short street which itself leads to Somerset Road.
Where is Marlborough Road?
Marlborough Road is in the Ellesmere Park area of Eccles, a quiet suburb prized for good schools and green spaces.
Under half a mile from both Salford Royal hospital and Eccles town centre – over the M602 motorway.
Location in Ellesmere Park – Google Maps
Location in Salford – Google Maps
In a statement the Divisional Commander for Salford, Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle, said patrols would be stepped up in the local area but there was not thought to be any wider threat to the public.
She said: “Anytime a firearm is discharged at another person it will understandably cause concern but I want to stress that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to the public as a result what we believe to be a targeted attack.
“We have increased patrols in the area to offer reassurance to the community so people may notice an increased police presence for the foreseeable future. If you have any concerns that you want to raise then feel free to approach one of these officers or contact your local neighbourhood policing team.
“The investigation is at an early stage and we are following a number of lines of enquiry however if you believe that you may be able to assist us then please get in touch.
“Often when an incident like this happens, important information will lie within the community and I would ask that anybody who believes they may have information to contact police immediately.”
Anybody with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 2370 of 20/03/16 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
