Girls aged 13 and 16 are hit by shrapnel in a drive-by shooting outside a party in Manchester: police are appealing to pursue a dark blue SUV seen in the area
- An unidentified gunman fired the gun from a car into a crowd at a party
- Two teenagers were injured but were not the intended target of the shooting, police say
- Investigators have now released a picture of a car they need help finding
Police are searching for an SUV after two girls were injured in a drive-by shooting in south Manchester.
The victims – aged 13 and 16 – were both taken to hospital after gunshots rang out outside a home in the Moss Side area on July 29.
Both teenagers sustained injuries believed to be caused by gun shrapnel, investigators said, slamming those responsible that night as “dangerous without regard to who could have been injured”.
Police are appealing for the public to track down a vehicle linked to the crime and have now released a CCTV still of the SUV they are looking for, as well as a stock image of a Seat Arona which they believe matches the vehicle’s description.
Police are searching for this car after two girls were injured in a drive-by shooting in Manchester
Pictured: Police at the scene in Moss Side on July 29 when two teenage girls were shot dead in a drive-by
Greater Manchester Police previously said the incident was being treated as attempted murder.
Police believe the vehicle is a Seat Arone
Detectives believe the girls – who are now recovering at home – were not the intended targets but were shot outside a home in Quinney Crescent.
The party was a family reunion to mark the first anniversary of the death of Joan Spence, a 70-year-old woman who died in an accident the previous year.
Police say the girls were “lucky” not to be killed after being caught in the crossfire.
In a renewed appeal, officers have now identified a “vehicle of interest” and anyone who saw a dark-colored SUV vehicle in the area during the night is urged to come forward.
Anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage captured between 10pm and 11pm is also being urged to contact investigators, who are trying to locate those responsible.
A large police presence at the scene in Moss Side on Saturday morning after the shooting
Police are urging anyone who saw the car or has dashcam or doorbell footage to come forward
Detective Inspector Madeline Kelly of the Xcalibre Task Force said: “This incident could have been much more serious.
“We don’t think the two girls were the intended targets, they were just at the address enjoying a party.
“It shows me that those responsible are dangerous and have no regard for who may have been injured that night.
“Guns have no place on the streets of Manchester and we are determined to bring those responsible for this callous attack to justice.
“I am appealing to anyone who was in the Moss Side area between 10pm and 11pm on Friday 29 July and may have seen a vehicle being driven erratically to contact us.
“I am particularly interested in sightings of a dark colored SUV car and would urge anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage that may have caught those responsible, either entering or exiting the area, to please come forward.
Pictured: Police officers at the scene after the shooting in Moss Side on July 29 earlier this year
Pictured: Police set up a cordon at the scene following the July 29 shooting in Moss Side
“I have trained officers on hand who can download and review any footage.
“I also urge anyone in the local community or beyond who has information about the incident to come forward, either directly or through Crimestoppers.”
Anyone with information can contact the police directly by calling 0161 856 6015 or 101.
