The victim of a fatal shooting had previously been jailed for breaking a woman's jaw in a nightclub row in Manchester's Northern Quarter. Zikel Bobmanuel was named by his family as the man at the centre of a murder investigation at the weekend.
His family paid tribute to his mother's 'pride and joy', whose youngest child is just six weeks old. They described him as "many things to many people" including "a good friend, hard-working colleague, part of a large extended family".
A cordon has been in place on Sandywell Street in Openshaw, east Manchester, since around 2pm on Saturday (March 25), when emergency services were scrambled. First responders sadly pronounced Zikel dead at the scene after suffering gunshot wounds.
His family said: “He held the heart of his girlfriend in his hand and was a hands on father to his beloved children, the youngest just six weeks old. Zikel was happy and fulfilled, he was working hard to provide for his family and was never more content than when he was spending time with them.
“It is difficult to comprehend that Zikel has died under such tragic circumstances and the shock is profound. We are devastated beyond belief and find it hard to comprehend life without him. We would like to thank everybody for their kind words and the comfort their support has given us and respectfully ask for some privacy at this difficult time.”
In September 2018 Zikel sobbed as he was jailed for punching a woman - leaving her with a broken jaw and scarred for life - after he had been thrown out of a Northern Quarter bar.
He had begged for a custodial sentence not to be imposed after telling the court about his budding music career and how he had spent £500 of his own money making a documentary about helping Manchester's homeless.
But a judge was critical of his unprovoked attack on an 'innocent' young mum and jailed him for 22 months, after he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm at Manchester Crown Court. He became involved in a bust-up outside Walrus bar at 1am after he had been thrown out of the Northern Quarter nightspot in July 2017 the court heard.
He had worked as a joiner and tiler but the court heard he also had his own fashion line and a music label to which he had signed six artists. The court heard he had been lined up to appear on Radio 1Xtra and was building a studio to help budding musicians.
But Judge Michael Leeming told him: "It was the sort of drunken aggressive behaviour of which the public is simply fed up."
Bobmanuel claimed he was the victim of racist abuse outside the bar but the judge added there was no suggestion his victim had delivered any such abuse.
In victim personal statements referred to in court, the woman said it had been an 'unprovoked attack' which had left her with a swollen face for six months and 'life-changing injuries'. The court was told the woman had since been operated on twice, had permanent metal plates in her jaw and will be scarred for life.
Before passing sentence Judge Leeming read seven testimonials which were said to have touched on the defendant's religion and 'another side' of his character. Lee Hughes, defending, told the court how Bobmanuel had spent £500 to produce a 40-minute documentary on Manchester's homeless which had been posted on YouTube. The film was said to show the defendant giving food and clothing to rough sleepers.
In a statement at the weekend in connection with the murder of Zikel, GMP said one man, 33, had been arrested after what they believe to be a 'targeted attack'. They continue to hunt one suspect who is believed to have fled the scene in a vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting log number 1771 25/3/2023. Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously to the independent charity - Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
