A man suffered more than 20 wounds in the legs and back when he was fired at with a shotgun as he walked along a street in Greater Manchester.
Three men, one with a knife, approached the victim outside a house in Beal Crescent on the Belfield estate in Rochdale and marched him up the street.
The 24-year-old managed to struggle free and ran off but heard one of the men shout "shoot him".
He had more than 20 wounds consistent with pellets from a shotgun.
He was treated in the Royal Oldham Hospital but his injuries are not life threatening and he is now recovering at home.
'Clear intent'
The three offenders are all described as white and in their late 20s to early 30s.
Det Insp Daryl Chadwick said: "This was a shocking incident in which a shotgun was fired on a busy housing estate when there may have been children out playing.
"Luckily, the injuries to the victim were not life-threatening but the intent was clear and the consequences could have been tragic."
They are conducting searches of the area, house-to-house inquiries and examining CCTV footage.
Anyone with information is asked to contact them.
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