A 65-year-old woman shot in the leg in Salford last week was not the intended target for the shooting, it’s been revealed.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang on Billy Lane in Clifton on Friday evening followed by the sound of a motorbike riding away from the scene.
Armed police were scrambled to Clifton just after 5.20pm on Friday 2 August.
The woman suffered gunshot wounds to the leg and was taken to hospital for treatment.
She is not considered to be in a life-threatening condition.
Detectives have so far made no arrests.
SalfordOnline.com has been told the incident is not linked to the organised crime shootings which have blighted parts of Salford over the past 18 months.
It’s understood that the shooters, armed with machetes and a sawn-off shotgun, had gone looking for a younger man in connection with an unreported theft.
The 65-year-old was not the target they were looking for.
Speaking to SalfordOnline.com, local MP Rebecca Long-Bailey said she had been outraged to hear of the attack.
“I know police investigations are ongoing and detail has yet to emerge but I am truly sickened by this incident.
“This could be anyone’s mum, gran, daughter or sister.
“Guns have no place on our streets and it is clear for all to see that more funding from government needs to go urgently into tackling gun crime in Greater Manchester, from intelligence gathering to more patrols on the streets.
In a statement a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 5.20pm on Friday 2 September 2016, police were called to Billy Lane, Clifton, to reports of a shooting.
“Officers attended and found that a 65-year-old woman had suffered pellet wounds to the leg and was taken to hospital for treatment.
“An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing.”
Further updates are expected later.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
