Man Murdered As Gunman Opens Fire In Pub

A 23-year-old man has been killed and three others hurt after a masked gunman opened fire at a pub where a 60th birthday party was being held in Greater Manchester.

Police were called to the Cotton Tree in Droylsden just before midnight on Friday after a man wearing a balaclava walked into the pub and opened fire on a group of men standing near a pool table.

The dead man has been named locally as Mark Short, but officers said they cannot be sure he was the "intended victim" as three other men were also injured in the shooting.

Two men, aged 25 and 26, suffered wounds to their leg and a 29-year-old man was injured in his lower back.

All three are recovering in hospital and while their injuries are not life-threatening, police described them as "potentially life-changing".

"The premises itself is a small premises, a small pub," said Chief Superintendent Nick Adderley from Greater Manchester Police.

"We believe it was a family do. Twenty or 22 people were there, including the deceased and three injured males.

"It's fair to say the witnesses are being co-operative.

"I just want to reassure the community we don't believe this to be a random attack.

"This is a good community, a solid community, with a good community spirit and this is an isolated incident."

The gunman escaped in a Ford Focus and police believe another two men were waiting in the vehicle.

It was later found abandoned and on fire in Hattersley, around six miles away.

Officers explained the family who were celebrating at the pub were "known to police", but said "it would be unfair to link their criminal history to this incident".

"There's no motive at this stage but a number of theories are being worked on and we're very open minded," Chief Supt Adderley added.

:: Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.