Police plea to shot boy witnesses

Giuseppe Gregory was not part of a gang, said police

Police investigating the murder of a teenager who was shot dead in Manchester said they will give support to witnesses "scared" to come forward.

Giuseppe Gregory, 16, was shot in the head outside the Robin Hood pub in Stretford on 10 May.

Police said the teenager was not part of a gang but had friends who were. His death is the first fatal shooting in the city for a year.

Det Supt Jane Antrobus said evidence will be "treated in confidence".

Ms Antrobus added: "We can get more people sent down for this kind of gun crime, come forward, help us and let's stop these tragedies happening."

"What I will say to those who feel to scared to come forward, come and tell us what you know."

Minor crime

"We have lots of ways we can get evidence, and we have got lots of ways we can present your evidence at court and support you and your family if you do come forward, so please help us."

Giuseppe was shot as he sat inside a VW Golf outside the pub.

Detectives believe the teenager was not the target and his killer fired "indiscriminately" at a car he was in.

Minutes before the shooting three masked men went into the pub and stole a gold chain from a customer before firing shots at the car.

Two semi-automatic handguns were used in the shooting, with one bullet going through the window of a house nearby.

Police had gone to the pub 20 minutes earlier on a pre-arranged visit at the request of the landlord, to show a visible presence as the Sunday music event had become increasingly "rowdy" over recent weeks.

Giuseppe's family, who live in Ardwick, said he was involved in minor crime and had survived a shooting three years ago

A 22-year-old man has been arrested and released on bail on suspicion of murder.