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'Mr Big' Paul Massey shot dead in Salford 'targeted attack' Paul Massey murder: 'Mr Big' shot dead by masked gunman
(about 1 hour later)
A convicted criminal once branded "Mr Big" has been shot dead outside his home in Salford, in what police say was "a targeted attack". A convicted criminal, once branded "Mr Big", was killed by a masked gunman in "military-style" clothes, police say.
Paul Massey, 55, a security boss and businessman, was found dead with gunshot wounds to his body. Paul Massey, 55, a security boss and businessman, was found dead with gunshot wounds outside his Salford home on Sunday evening.
Mr Massey stood unsuccessfully to be mayor of Salford in 2012. The father-of-five had managed to call emergency services from his driveway to say he had been shot and needed help.
In 1999, the father of five was sentenced to 14 years in prison after he stabbed a man in the groin outside a club in Manchester, severing an artery. Massey, jailed in 1999 for 14 years over a stabbing, unsuccessfully stood to be Salford mayor in 2012.
Mr Massey's body was found in Clifton following several reports of gunfire at about 19:30 BST on Sunday. Several eyewitnesses saw the gunman approach him at about 19:30 BST as he got out of his silver BMW at his home in Manchester Road, Clifton.
'Targeted attack' After opening fire, the assailant left on foot down the side of nearby St Anne's Church, police said.
Security has been stepped up in the area of the shooting in Manchester Road, and the road is still closed. A white male, he wore a green or khaki military-style top and trousers and the lower part of his face was concealed, officers added.
Det Ch Supt Russ Jackson said: "People will understandably be alarmed when they hear about this incident, which we believe was a targeted attack. Massey, who was barely 5ft (1.52m) tall, was dubbed Mr Big by the late Salford councillor Joe Burrows at a town hall meeting to discuss civil disturbances in 1992.
"I would like to reassure the public that we have a heightened level of police officers in the area while we establish the full circumstances of the incident and identify those responsible. He denied having anything to do with the unrest.
"We are actively following a number of lines of inquiry, however I would urge the local community to come forward if they saw or heard anything in the area. But he was jailed in 1999 after he stabbed a man in the groin outside a club in Manchester, severing an artery.
"I want to stress that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence." Following the crime, he fled to Amsterdam but was caught and extradited.
After the 1999 stabbing, Mr Massey fled to Amsterdam, but was extradited. Since his release from Frankland Prison in County Durham, he was involved in the security business and is believed to have invested in property.
'Off the streets' Mayoral campaign
Since his release from Frankland Prison in County Durham, he is believed to have been involved in the security business and to have invested in property. He reportedly acted as a mediator between warring gang factions.
He was dubbed Mr Big by the late Salford councillor Joe Burrows at a town hall meeting to discuss civil disturbances in 1992. Massey declared he wanted to keep heroin off the streets of Salford and stickers appeared on lampposts warning dealers they risked getting "smacked" if they brought the drug into the city.
Mr Massey denied having anything to do with the unrest. But he was arrested with five others in December 2011 as part of a police inquiry into a Salford-based security company.
He had reportedly in the past acted as a mediator between warring gang factions. Massey claimed officers were conducting a "witch-hunt" against him and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Massey declared he wanted to keep heroin off the streets of Salford and stickers appeared on lampposts warning dealers they risked getting "smacked" if they brought the drug into the city. During his 2012 mayoral campaign, he said he would rid the streets of drugs.
During his 2012 mayoral campaign he said he would rid the streets of drugs. Massey said in a BBC Radio Manchester debate he would do the job of mayor without being paid, claiming: "I will do it for free; I will do it for the voice of the people."
Mr Massey said in a BBC Radio Manchester debate he would do the job of mayor without being paid, claiming: "I will do it for free; I will do it for the voice of the people."
He called on voters to forget his reputation, claiming that it was in the past and people had misjudged him. He received 1,995 votes - 4.45% of the poll - and came seventh out of 10 candidates.He called on voters to forget his reputation, claiming that it was in the past and people had misjudged him. He received 1,995 votes - 4.45% of the poll - and came seventh out of 10 candidates.
However, Mr Massey was still under investigation earlier this year by police from the regional organised crime squad investigating allegations of money laundering. However, Massey was still under investigation earlier this year by police from the regional organised crime squad investigating allegations of money laundering.
He had been arrested with five others in December 2011 as part of a police inquiry into a Salford-based security company. Security has been stepped up in the area of the shooting in Manchester Road, and the road is still closed.
Mr Massey claimed officers were conducting a "witch-hunt" against him and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
In an unfinished and unbroadcast documentary about him, commissioned by the BBC in 1998, Mr Massey said he "could be shot dead any time".
"I've realised that for years. If it's meant to happen, it's meant to happen and that's the end of it," he said.
Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd urged any witnesses to contact police.
Rebecca Long Bailey, the Labour MP for Salford and Eccles, said she was "shocked" at the news of Mr Massey's death, adding her "thoughts are with his family and the residents of Clifton".
At the scene: BBC reporters Jonathan Ali and Clare FallonAt the scene: BBC reporters Jonathan Ali and Clare Fallon
There is a huge police presence here today - about seven police cars and a mobile police station.There is a huge police presence here today - about seven police cars and a mobile police station.
Forensics teams have been here through the night, working by torchlight in the early hours.Forensics teams have been here through the night, working by torchlight in the early hours.
Paul Massey was shot in a "targeted attack"- killed because of who he was.Paul Massey was shot in a "targeted attack"- killed because of who he was.
Neighbours and locals are concerned about possible reprisals and they are worried about getting caught in the crossfire. Neighbours and locals are concerned about possible reprisals and worried about getting caught in the crossfire.
There are fears the shooting could be a trigger for more violence in this part of Salford.There are fears the shooting could be a trigger for more violence in this part of Salford.
Ch Supt Mary Doyle said: "Our thoughts are with the family of Paul at this distressing time and we have specially-trained officers supporting them.
"We know that shots were fired at Paul and do not believe this was a random attack. We are still working to establish a motive, which is not yet known."
She said extra officers were in the area to "offer reassurance to the community" and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
"I want to reiterate that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence."
In an unfinished and unbroadcast documentary about Massey, commissioned by the BBC in 1998, he said he "could be shot dead any time".
"I've realised that for years. If it's meant to happen, it's meant to happen and that's the end of it," he said.
Rebecca Long Bailey, the Labour MP for Salford and Eccles, said she was "shocked" at the news of Mr Massey's death, adding her "thoughts are with his family and the residents of Clifton".