Gang refusal clue in Jessie probe

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The family of a 15-year-old boy shot dead in Manchester believe he could have been targeted because he refused to join a local gang.

Jessie James was shot three times with a semi-automatic weapon in a park off Raby Street, Moss Side, in September.

Pastor Michael Simpson, who speaks on behalf of the family, said they had been told Jessie was being "coerced" by gang members before his death.

Greater Manchester Police said they had no evidence to support the theory.

The force is pursuing a number of lines of inquiry, including the possibility that Jessie was shot as a result of mistaken identity.

Thousands of people attended Jessie's funeral

But speaking to the BBC, Mr Simpson - a local Seventh Day Adventist Church pastor - said Jessie's refusal to join one of Moss Side's gangs could have been the reason he was shot.

"There are definite temptations there, there are some who are being coerced by young members to join one side or the other," he said.

"We have had news that Jessie was going though that. We didn't know that at the time because he would have kept that to himself.

"We have had reports that definitely Jessie was going through similar coercion.

"Like anything else, some folks will try to coerce young people into joining their gang or their group and for a young person of that age it must be a challenge."

Asked if Jessie lost his life because he took a stand, Mr Simpson replied: "It's a possibility."

'No evidence'

Det Supt Tony Cook, leading the investigation, said his dedicated team of officers were exploring other motives for Jessie's murder.

"We are aware of a rumour circulating in the local community that indicates that Jessie James was murdered because he refused to join a gang.

"At this stage this would appear to be speculation and there is no evidence to support this theory," he added.

Several witnesses to the murder have yet to come forward, including three teenage girls who were standing near the West Indian Sports and Social Club at the time of the killing in the early hours of 9 September.

Thousands of mourners gathered in Moss Side for his funeral last month.