‘We need your help to catch gun killer’

Residents listen intently as murder detectives update them on the inquiry into the murder of Junaid Khan

A LEADING officer investigating the murder of Junaid Khan, gunned down in Werneth, has appealed to residents to come forward with information.

Det Chief Insp Steve Eckersley told last night’s meeting of the Werneth People and Communities Together (PACT) meeting that house-to-house inquiries had been conducted and leaflets posted through letter boxes since the 21-year-old was gunned down in the car park of a doctors’ surgery in Block Lane.

He said the GMP’s specialist investigations team was working closely with the West Oldham neighbourhood policing unit carrying out further inquiries.

DCI Eckersley said: “We have been responding positively.

“Certain people have been identified and we have executed warrants.

“We have received intelligence but we have to turn that into evidence.”

The officer made it clear that although no arrests had been made, the team of 30 detectives was working hard to catch Junaid’s killers.

DCI Eckersley appealed to residents to come forward with information about the planning of the murder and disposal of any clothing and other property.

He also stated that the motive behind the killing was not yet established and confirmed the shooting was not linked to the Salford killing of Nassar Hussain. The meeting was attended by Junaid’s father Mumtaz Khan (60), of Lincoln Street, who said: “If anyone knows anything then please help the police. I don’t know where these weapons are coming from and the Government needs to ban them from entering the country.

“This incident shows that our children are not safe in the future.”

A silver Mitsubishi Challenger was seen in the area at the time of the shooting on Thursday, July 9.

The same vehicle was later found burned out in the car park of Ancora restaurant in Broadway. Junaid who lived with his mother Taj Mahal in Cotton Mill Crescent, Werneth, was shot 17 times.

It is believed his funeral will take place next week but details have not yet been confirmed.