Manchester shooting: Two men die after Moss Side attack

The attack happened in a residential courtyard in Moss Side

Two men have died in a shooting after a lockdown party of "hundreds of people".

Police were called to reports that gun shots had been heard in Caythorpe Street in Moss Side, Manchester, at about 01:00 BST.

The two victims, aged in their 20s and 30s, "self-presented" in hospital and died a short time later.

Greater Manchester Police said the shooting happened at "an unplanned event" near to the location of an "earlier community event".

No arrests have been made yet.

A local resident said the shooting followed a lockdown party with a DJ and "hundreds of people".

Footage on social media showed crowds dancing to loud music in a courtyard.

A heavy police presence was deployed overnight

A cordon was placed around a courtyard between Caythorpe Street, Broadfield Road and Bowes Street.

A teacher, who lives nearby, said he heard music from about 22:00 BST into the early hours on Sunday.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's a really normal neighbourhood with an occasional spike in violence.

"I had a walk out to see what was happening and I would say there were hundreds of people around but I did see police patrols. Later, we heard a helicopter overhead."

Officers gather evidence at a courtyard where "hundreds" of people attended a party

He said people who rang police were told that officers were unable to break up the party because it was too large.

Det Insp Andrew Butterworth said: "We are aware that, a number of hours before this incident, there was a community event in Moss Side.

"This event was attended by Greater Manchester Police along with local people and partner agencies - it was not an illegal rave and it had concluded prior to this incident.

"It does appear that the incident took place at what we believe was an unplanned event near to the location of the earlier community event."

On Sunday, a forensic tent was seen partially covering a car, with alcohol bottles and canisters of laughing gas surrounding the area.

Since the 1980s, Moss Side has been associated with problems due to drugs and violence, although in recent years, there have been fewer shootings and money has been spent on redeveloping the area.

Thousands attended raves last weekend in Greater Manchester (above), despite gatherings of more than six people being illegal due to coronavirus

Earlier this week, Greater Manchester Police said it would take "serious action" to deter more illegal gatherings after raves in Trafford and Oldham last weekend, when a 20-year-old man died of a suspected drug overdose and an 18-year-old woman was raped.

More than 6,000 people attended the events, where three men were stabbed.

Asst Ch Con Nick Bailey said prevention was the key to controlling illegal parties but conceded that senior officers could decide it was more dangerous to close an event because of its scale, and factors such as terrain and darkness.