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Boy 'executed' in city shooting Boy 'executed' in city shooting
(about 7 hours later)
A 15-year-old boy who was shot dead in Manchester may have been killed in a planned execution, according to Greater Manchester Police.A 15-year-old boy who was shot dead in Manchester may have been killed in a planned execution, according to Greater Manchester Police.
Jessie James was gunned down in the early hours of Saturday close to a public park in Moss Side.Jessie James was gunned down in the early hours of Saturday close to a public park in Moss Side.
Supt John O'Hare said: "It is still early days. We do not know of any motive yet, but we believe this was a planned attack."Supt John O'Hare said: "It is still early days. We do not know of any motive yet, but we believe this was a planned attack."
But Jessie's friends say he was an innocent victim in the wrong place.
They said he had simply been cycling to a party.
It is the second fatal shooting in Moss Side in less than three months.It is the second fatal shooting in Moss Side in less than three months.
I want the people who pulled the trigger to realise what the family are going through Supt John O'Hare
Jessie, who lived in Greame Street, Moss Side, attended the nearby Manchester Academy High School.Jessie, who lived in Greame Street, Moss Side, attended the nearby Manchester Academy High School.
Kathy August, the academy's principal, issued a statement saying: "On behalf of Manchester Academy I would like to express my deepest sadness at the tragic loss of one our boys.Kathy August, the academy's principal, issued a statement saying: "On behalf of Manchester Academy I would like to express my deepest sadness at the tragic loss of one our boys.
"Jessie had been one of our students for the past three years. He was a very likeable boy who was trying hard to succeed in his GCSEs. "Jessie had been one of our students for the past three years. He was a very likeable boy who was trying hard to succeed in his GCSEs."
"Every death of a young person is tragic but for a mother to lose her son and for our school to lose one of our boys in such a violent way is heartbreaking."
Detectives are now waiting for the results of forensic tests and the post-mortem examination to establish how many shots were fired and what type of weapon was used.Detectives are now waiting for the results of forensic tests and the post-mortem examination to establish how many shots were fired and what type of weapon was used.
I want the people who pulled the trigger to realise what the family are going through Supt John O'Hare
In the meantime, they are appealing for help from the public to find Jessie's killers, who struck at around 0230 BST.In the meantime, they are appealing for help from the public to find Jessie's killers, who struck at around 0230 BST.
"I appeal for those who were involved in it to look at what's happened," said Supt O'Hare. "If there are people that can stop this and have the power to stop it, I'm asking them to examine their consciences, think about the family, think about the community, and have the strength to put a stop to it," said Supt O'Hare.
"If there are people that can stop this and have the power to stop it, I'm asking them to examine their consciences, think about the family, think about the community, and have the strength to put a stop to it.
"I want the people who pulled the trigger to realise what the family are going through.""I want the people who pulled the trigger to realise what the family are going through."
The area has been sealed off while forensic experts investigateThe area has been sealed off while forensic experts investigate
Police patrols are being stepped up in the area and a murder inquiry has been opened.Police patrols are being stepped up in the area and a murder inquiry has been opened.
The Raby Street area has been sealed off for investigators to carry out a detailed search around the crime scene.The Raby Street area has been sealed off for investigators to carry out a detailed search around the crime scene.
Forensic officers have erected a tent behind a basketball court next to the community centre and police tape has been strung around the area.
The killing comes less than three months after 45-year-old Ernest Gifford was gunned down at his home on the street while his partner and her children were in the property.The killing comes less than three months after 45-year-old Ernest Gifford was gunned down at his home on the street while his partner and her children were in the property.
Masked gunmen burst in, took Mr Gifford to a second room and shot him dead before fleeing. And last month, three men were shot and wounded in two separate incidents in Moss Side.
Last month, three men were shot and wounded in two separate incidents in Moss Side and concern is now mounting among locals the area could once again be a centre of gun violence. Concern is now mounting among locals the area could once again be a centre of gun violence.
Answers needed Pastor Michael Simpson from the Manchester Central Seventh Day Adventist Church - where Jessie's family worship - said the teenager was "always polite" and "always kind".
Pastor Michael Simpson from the Manchester Central Seventh Day Adventist Church - where Jessie's family worship - is concerned for the safety of other youngsters living in the area. And, expressing concern for the safety of other youngsters living in the area, he added: "I hope that the police are able to do their job and to come up with some answers, not just for the parents, but for the community as well.
He said: "The youth are getting involved in this culture and it's not good. "We need to know in the community what's going on, why this is happening and where the guns are coming from."
"I hope that the police are able to do their job and to come up with some answers, not just for the parents, but for the community as well.
"We need to know in the community what's going on, why this is happening and where the guns are coming from.
"We know guns are not manufactured here in Moss Side and they're coming in from somewhere."