One of two men shot in Leigh last night is fighting for his life, it has emerged.
Emergency services were first called to Hawthorne Grove in at around 5.45pm and found there had been a firearms discharge.
A short time later, officers received reports of a second shooting on Shadwell Grove - one mile away.
Police have confirmed that two men, one in his 30s and the other in his 20s, were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.
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Amid fears of a tit-for-tat escalation, police have confirmed the shootings could be linked and single shooter - who remains at large - is behind the attacks.
Today the M.E.N. has been told that one of the men who was shot was left in a critical condition and is fighting for his life.
Greater Manchester Police said in an update this morning that enquiries remain 'ongoing'.
A number of cordons currently remain in place in the surrounding areas as police continue their investigations.
Police say they will leave 'no stone unturned' as they try to trace down who is responsible.
Patrols were also increased in the area to reassure residents who have been left concerned by the incident.
On Sunday morning, Paul Ologbose, 57, suffered fatal injuries after he was punched outside a social club in Leigh. He died later.
Following last night's shootings, Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels said: "We are in the very early stages of our investigation into these incidents but we believe they could be linked.
"We have officers in Leigh carrying out extensive enquiries to establish exactly what has happened. Two people are in hospital with gun-shot wounds and I can assure people that we will leave no stone unturned as we work to find out who is responsible.
"We understand the community will be concerned and, as such, we have deployed extra patrols to reassure them. If you have information that could help us with our investigation, please come forward. Anything said can be done so in confidence or anonymously."
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9101 or 0943 quoting 2599 26/01/22 or the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
