Teenager shot in Manchester

A teenage girl is fighting for her life after being gunned down in the street in Manchester as she celebrated her 16th birthday.

She was shot in the head as she sat in a taxi in the Longsight area of Manchester early on Saturday morning. A gunman fired at least 10 bullets in the direction of the car.

The taxi driver was hit in the leg, but two of the teenager's friends, who were sitting beside her in the car, were uninjured.

The teenager was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary for treatment in intensive care. The taxi driver was discharged from hospital after treatment.

Police have said they have no idea why she was shot, although they did not think she was the intended target.

The victim, who lives in the area, had been at a house party.

Detective Superintendent Bernard Postles of Greater Manchester Police said: "We are not sure if the taxi driver was the target, although we have not found any reason why he should have been; if the gunman was aiming at a building behind the taxi; or if he was waiting for someone else from the party. For the moment we cannot rule anything out."

Longsight has a reputation as one of Manchester's most violent inner city areas, although Mr Postles said he could not yet link the shooting to either gang or drug-related violence.

The gunman was standing around 15ft away from the car when he opened fire. More than 10 spent 9mm shell casings were found at the scene - which could suggest a high-powered semi-automatic weapon was used, Mr Postles added.