The brother of a Salford man shot in the back in cold blood four years ago today has said his family will never recover until the killer is found.
Dad-of-five Lee Erdmann, 37, was killed in front of 30 witnesses as he stood in the bar of the now-derelict Wellington pub on Regent Road in Ordsall, on Saturday 10 September 2011.
It was around 2.30am when Lee was drinking after hours in the pub.
An unidentified man who had been talking to him earlier in the evening walked up to him and shot him twice in the back with a handgun. He died instantly at the scene.
The pub’s CCTV was stolen shortly after the killing and the murder weapon was never found.
A graffiti campaign in Ordsall warned locals about speaking out over the slaying, and despite offering a £50,000 reward for information police complained about coming up against a ‘wall of silence’ during their investigation.
Today Lee’s older brother Mike told SalfordOnline.com the ‘coward’ who gunned him down was still out there.
“It’s four years ago today when my little brother was shot in the back and it’s still as raw now for the family.
“Anybody who knew Lee knew he was a good man with a big heart who loved his five children and family to bits.
“We just hope one day someone stands up and brings us justice and stops the coward thinking he is some kind of hero.”
Six people were arrested and bailed in the aftermath of the shooting, but no-one has ever been charged.
“Since this happened gun crime in Salford has gone really bad,” said Mike, “because you have people thinking if that coward can get away with shooting my brother in the back in front of all those people they can also get away with shooting people.
“It won’t be long before a innocent member of the public gets caught in the crossfire.
“Justice has to be done to that coward to stop young people looking up to him and get the Salford spirit back because at the moment people are just living in fear.”
The family have also had to deal with the death of Lee’s older brother, fitness fanatic Tony E, who passed away suddenly on 22 February 2015. A post-mortem into the death was inconclusive.
“I know in my heart that Tony and Lee are together in heaven watching over us,” said Mike.
“We’re still praying for justice to be served.
“RIP to my brothers, with love and respect from your heartbroken family.”
Anyone who has information about the murder is asked to call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. You can also report anonymously through the Crimestoppers website.
