A SHOOTING on Wednesday is being linked by police to the assassination of Paul Massey.

Mr Massey was gunned down in his garden in Manchester Road, Clifton on Sunday, July 26.

Two days earlier, a man with a gun was spotted yards from Stoneclough garden centre Giants Seat.

On Wednesday, a 33-year-old man was shot in the hip in Normanton Avenue, Weaste in Salford, although his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Ch Supt Mary Doyle said: “An investigation into this incident has been launched but I would like to stress that enquiries are at a very early stage.

“We are looking into the possibility that this incident is connected with the murder of Paul Massey and as such we currently have two specialised Major Incident Teams working tirelessly to identify and prosecute those responsible for these offences."

She also urged people not to take the law into their hands.

Wearing camouflage trousers, a black hat and black jacket, the man with a torch and gun was spotted 150 yards from Giants Seat at about 7pm on Friday, July 24.

Anybody with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.