Starting pistol found at murder scene

ARMED officers swooped on Werneth after a gun was found yards away from where Junaid Khan was gunned down and killed.

A car park off Berkshire Place was taped off after the firearm was discovered in a carrier bag at 12.30pm yesterday — close to where Junaid worked for his father at MK General Stores, Lincoln Street.

It turned out to be a blank starting pistol designed to be used at sports events. Police are trying to trace the owner.

Officers investigating the murder of 21-year-old Junaid were made aware of the discovery, but it is not thought to be linked to his killing.

Junaid, of Cotton Crescent, Werneth, was shot seven times in a car park in Block Lane in the early hours on July 9.

At the time there was speculation that the murder was linked to a shooting of 30-year-old shop worker Nasar Shazad in Salford.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed: “Just after 12.30pm yesterday, police were called to Berkshire Place following a report a firearm had been found.

“Armed officers attended and recovered a blank firing pistol.”