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Paul Massey shot dead in Salford 'targeted attack' 'Mr Big' Paul Massey shot dead in Salford 'targeted attack'
(35 minutes later)
A man has been shot dead outside his home in Salford, in what police say was "a targeted attack". A convicted criminal once branded "Mr Big" has been shot dead outside his home in Salford, in what police say was "a targeted attack".
The victim was Paul Massey, a convicted criminal and businessman, the BBC understands. The victim was Paul Massey, 55, a security boss and businessman, the BBC understands.
Mr Massey stood unsuccessfully to be mayor of Salford in 2012.Mr Massey stood unsuccessfully to be mayor of Salford in 2012.
Greater Manchester Police said a 55-year-old man had died of gunshot wounds in the Clifton area. They said there had been several reports of gunfire at about 19:30 BST on Sunday. 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.
Mr Massey was once dubbed "Salford's Mr Big" and investigated over allegations of money laundering, reports the Manchester Evening News. Greater Manchester Police confirmed a man had died of gunshot wounds in the Clifton area following several reports of gunfire at about 19:30 BST on Sunday.
Security has been stepped up in the area of the shooting, which happened in Manchester Road, and the road is still closed. 'Come forward'
Security has been stepped up in the area of the shooting in Manchester Road, and the road is still closed.
Det Ch Supt Russ Jackson said: "People will understandably be alarmed when they hear about this incident, which we believe was a targeted attack.Det Ch Supt Russ Jackson said: "People will understandably be alarmed when they hear about this incident, which we believe was a targeted attack.
"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."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.
'Come forward'
"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."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.
"I want to stress that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.""I want to stress that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence."
Mr Massey, a security firm boss, was jailed for 14 years in 1999 for stabbing a man in the groin outside a nightclub, severing an artery. After the 1999 stabbing, Mr Massey fled to Amsterdam, but was extradited.
Standing as an independent candidate in the May 2012 mayoral election, he received 1,995 votes - 4.45% of the poll - and came seventh out of 10 candidates. 'Off the streets'
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 was given the title "Mr Big" by the late Salford councillor Joe Burrows at a town hall meeting to discuss civil disturbances in 1992.
Mr Massey denied having anything to do with the unrest.
His reputation grew since the 1990s and he had reportedly in the past acted as a mediator between warring gang factions.
He declared he wanted to keep heroin off the streets of Salford and stickers appeared on lamp posts warning heroin dealers they risked getting "smacked" if they brought their goods to the city.
During his 2012 mayoral campaign he said he would rid the streets of drugs.
Mr Massey had said in a BBC Radio Manchester debate he would do the job of mayor without being paid, saying: "I will do it for free; I will do it for the voice of the people."Mr Massey had said in a BBC Radio Manchester debate he would do the job of mayor without being paid, saying: "I will do it for free; I will do it for the voice of the people."
The previous year he had been arrested in a money laundering investigation but was not charged. He called on voters to forget his "Mr Big" 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 he 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 probe in to a Salford-based security company.
Mr Massey claimed the police were conducting a "witch hunt" against him and strenuously denied any wrongdoing after having his bail conditions relaxed.
In an unfinished and unbroadcast documentary about him, commissioned by the BBC in 1998, Mr Massey said he "could be shot dead any time".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."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.
At the scene: BBC Radio Manchester reporter Jonathan AliAt the scene: BBC Radio Manchester reporter Jonathan Ali
There is a huge police presence here this morning - about seven police cars and a mobile police station. Officers will be concerned about possible reprisals.There is a huge police presence here this morning - about seven police cars and a mobile police station. Officers will be concerned about possible reprisals.
Paul Massey was branded "Salford's Mr Big" by late councillor Joe Burrows at a council meeting in 1992.Paul Massey was branded "Salford's Mr Big" by late councillor Joe Burrows at a council meeting in 1992.
He well known in the city and friends have been paying tribute to him, with one laying a floral tribute that says "thinking of you". He was well known in the city and friends have been paying tribute to him, with one laying a floral tribute that says "thinking of you".