Dozens of revellers were partying in the street following a Caribbean Festival
A 12-YEAR-OLD boy was gunned down in front of his parents with nine others injured during a shotgun attack in Manchester this morning.
Horrified neighbours in Moss Side said the gunman suddenly brandished a weapon and opened fire on crowds of partying revellers.
Terrified partygoers ran for their lives as bullets rang out around the packed street in the early hours of this morning.
One local said the gunman was "showing off"; in front of his pals and the shots were aimed below knee height.
Armed police raced to the scene in Claremont Road at 2.30am this morning, and victims' ages range between 12 and in their 50s.
Dramatic footage shows police officers helping on the victims into an ambulance as a panicked witness shouted: "Can you hear me".
Two children were among nine people rushed to hospital with ";minor to major" injuries.
A tenth victim - a man - remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital as officers launched an attempted murder investigation.
One neighbour, speaking to The Sun Online, said: "I heard it was just one man showing off in front of his friends.
"He pulled a gun out and then it's gone off and ten people have been shot.
"I've been told they were mostly shot below the knee.
"But it's not gang related just some crazy person pulling out a gun to show off to his friends."
Winston Marshall, 41, said: "I heard a couple of shots and then lots of screaming. People were running very scared and shouting."
Another local told how the peaceful day descended into chaos.
Ali Khan, 34, said: "It's shocking to have so many people injured. This isn't gang stuff. People came from outside and one man had a gun.
"The party was peaceful when I left it."
One neighbour added: "Some idiot has brought a gun to a packed street party. It's outrageous."
Greater Manchester Police said: "Nine people went to hospital, including two children, with pellet-type wounds that are not believed to be serious.
"A tenth person – a man – remains in a stable but serious condition in hospital with injuries to his legs."
An attempted murder investigation has now been launched.
Footage reportedly showing the aftermath of the incident was posted on social media.
The video appears to show a panicked group of people being helped by police. As a voice cries out, shouts of "move" can be heard, while another voice asks "can you hear me".
Chief Superintendent Wasim Chaudhry, from GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “Thankfully the injuries suffered do not appear to be as serious as first believed and hopefully people will begin to leave hospital over the course of the day following treatment.
“That being said, there may be people who didn’t seek treatment last night and I would urge these people to get immediate medical attention if that is the case.
“This was a reckless act that could have had devastating consequences with families and friends losing loved ones.
“Detectives and forensics remain in the Claremont Road area carrying out extensive enquiries and this will carry on today, whilst we will also continue to speak to witnesses and victims.
“Today the community is likely to feel concerned and that’s completely understandable.
"Guns have no place on our streets and we want to assure you we are doing everything we can to find the person or people responsible.
“Officers will continue to patrol the area and please feel free to approach them with any concerns and they will always try and help in any way they can.”
Detective Superintendent Debbie Dooley said: "We currently have a number of people in hospital all being treated for different injuries but thankfully most do not appear to be life-threatening at this time.
"Officers are trying to establish exactly where this incident took place and who is responsible for such a dangerous attack.
"Those living or visiting the area will understandably be concerned by this incident and we will have extra officers patrolling the area throughout the morning and into the coming days."
Anyone with any information was asked to call police on 0161 856 4166 quoting incident number 297 of 12 August or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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