Over this weekend, the sun-soaked streets of Moss Side were filled with happiness and celebration.
The return of Manchester's Caribbean Carnival after two years saw local residents and the wider community flock to Alexandra Park and the surrounding streets to enjoy the food stalls, parades and live music. Pictures showed scenes of bright colour as visitors soaked up the party atmosphere.
This morning, the streets could not look more different. At around 12.15am, a young man was shot dead.
Follow live updates on this incident in our blog here
As street parties continued into the early hours, shots were fired on Claremont Road. The victim - who police said is aged between 18 and 25 - tragically died in hospital after suffering serious injuries.
The scene - off Princess Road and just yards away from the carnival's main hub - is now flooded with police and forensic officers. A huge cordon has been put in place on Princess Road and Claremont Road, as well as on Roseberry Street and Cowesby Street.
Police at the scene said the cordon will be in place until at least Tuesday. Patrols will be stepped up in the area as investigations are carried out.
Crime scene investigators have been pictured bagging up evidence from the littered roads this morning. A smashed up car can be seen within the cordon on Roseberry Street.
Two local residents told the Manchester Evening News they heard four shots before people rushed out of their homes to see what had happened. They said police were on the scene 'very quickly'.
They added that it was 'very sad' and a 'waste' that a young life had been lost. They also said it was a 'shame' for the area to see another shooting incident after improvements over the last decade.
Another resident who lives on Harrington Street said the streets quietened down after 9pm. She said police arrived and kept the scene 'calm'.
People are being urged to avoid the area as investigations continue. Any witnesses are being urged to get in touch with the police.
Detective Superintendent Jude Holmes, said: "Firstly, my thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time in what is a devastating incident. Whilst the investigation is ongoing and at its early stages, we’re working extremely hard to understand the full circumstances.
"Our response has included increased patrols in the immediate area to keep the community safe, whilst a lot of work has been undertaken overnight and will continue today. Any details that may help us is asked to get in touch, as we know there were a number of potential witnesses to this serious incident.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting log number 40 of the 15th August 2022. Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously to the independent charity - Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Man dies after shooting in Moss Side with huge police cordon in place
- The hidden health issue that can take years off city centre residents' lives
- Watchdog investigating three complaints against Manchester's senior coroner
- A vanishing kangaroo, a controversial preacher and ‘Bingo Jesus’... the strange history of Hulme Hippodrome
- Paddy McGuinness mentions wife Christine for first time since split as he melts hearts with 49th birthday post