Police call for public’s help in hunt for killer
Date published: 09 July 2009
RESIDENTS of Hinton Street and Primrose Bank are being urged to speak out in a bid to help the investigation of the murder of an innocent shop assistant in Salford.
The urgent appeal comes as police reveal that eight of the thirteen people arrested in connection with the murder are from Oldham.
Shop worker Nasar Hussain (30), known locally as Nasar Shazad, was shot up to six times at point blank range at Brookhouse Wines, Winton, Eccles, on Saturday (4).
The Evening Chronicle understands that the hitman may have been targeting someone else and that Mr Hussain was killed in error.
Armed police with riot shields swooped on flats in Drury Lane, Chadderton, just hours after the shooting in Salford.
A Mac-10 submachine pistol, similar to the one pictured here, was found at 8am on Sunday under a car in Hinton Street, off Park Road, Oldham, by a dog-walker.
The weapon, which can fire 30 bullets in less than two seconds, is being examined by forensics teams.
Mr Hussain’s father, who lives in a remote area of Pakistan and did not want to be named, paid tribute to his son.
He said: “My son was a very kind and a good son. He offered his prayers every day. I am devastated by his death.”
Residents are now being urged to think back to Saturday and Sunday and contact the police with any information no matter how trivial it may seem.
Det Supt Mary Doyle, senior investigating officer for Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: “They would not have witnessed the actual crime but they may have witnessed parts of it, either up to or after it.”
She said a significant amount of information had led to officers pursuing a number of active leads, although the use of a firearm had resulted in less than full co-operation from the public.
She said: “There are a number of active lines of inquiry were following and we have had an awful lot of information in the last few days but we’re still appealing for any other information about what happened.”
She added: “This was a particularly violent, unnecessary and tragic crime. This is a dreadful time for Nasar’s family and they are trying to come to terms with his brutal murder, thousands of miles from home.
“Nasar made Eccles his home for the last six months of his life and I would urge the community to come forward with any information they have and make sure his family can at least have the person who shot him brought to justice.”
The thirteenth person held, a 20-year-old man from Wigan, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
A 34-year-old man from Oldham arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder remains in custody for questioning.
Six Oldham men aged from 22 to 34 arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder have been bailed until August 17.
A 21-year-old woman from Oldham arrested in connection with the incident was released without charge.
Anyone with information should call 0161 856 5448 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.
