A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly opening fire in a cemetery as mourners flouting social distancing rules attended the funeral of a Manchester godfather dubbed ‘Mr Ibiza’.
The suspect fired three shots as well-wishers gathered for the burial of 38-year-old Clive Pinnock at Gorton Cemetery in the east of the city.
The Manchester Evening News reported that the man walked into the crowd and opened fire before he was slashed with a knife, suffering serious face lacerations.
Armed police were scrambled to the scene and it is understood the culprit was disarmed by officers who said the intervention saved his life.
Police say the injured man, 34, was found on nearby Waterhouse Road with knife wounds. After being taken to hospital for treatment he was discharged and taken into custody where detectives continue to question him.
A gunman opened fire in a cemetery last night (pictured) as mourners flouting social distancing rules attended the funeral of a Manchester godfather dubbed ‘Mr Ibiza’
The attacker fired three shots as well-wishers gathered for the burial of 38-year-old Clive Pinnock at Gorton Cemetery in the east of the city (pictured, crowds on the road, ignoring social-distancing rules as the hearse drove by)
Clive Pinnock (pictured left) was killed in a collision between a BMW and his motorbike on April 8. He was known as ‘Mr Ibiza’ by friends and family. Huge crowds gathered to pay their final respects to Mr Pinnock (right, a hearse drives through town)
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Claire Moss, said: ‘Whilst we currently have a man in custody I want to make it very clear that our investigation does not stop here.
‘We are progressing a variety of forensic and CCTV opportunities to make sure that those responsible are brought to justice. I would appeal to anyone who has any information to please get in touch and help us, as even the smallest detail can assist our enquiries.’
Nobody is believed to have been shot and the weapon has not been found but police have taped off the crime scene as they investigate.
Police added that evidence of gunshots has been retrieved from the scene and a cordon remains in place.
Questions were also raised about the large presence of people lining the route to the cemetery and the number of grievers at the burial.
Superintendent Rebecca Boyce from Greater Manchester Police said: ‘We were made aware of several gatherings taking place yesterday in Gorton in relation to a funeral. In the lead up to the funeral, officers engaged with the immediate family of the man who had sadly lost his life to explain the government guidelines and to discuss details of their plans.
‘A careful assessment was then made about the policing approach to any gatherings associated with the funeral. Our overriding priority was to ensure that the wider public were kept safe.
‘We continued to closely monitor the situation and as it progressed it was clear that the emotions of those at the gathering were high and therefore a decision was made, in the interests of public safety, not to intervene unless the wider public were put at risk by the groups.
‘An arrest was subsequently made of a man who remains in custody in relation to a firearms discharge which happened close by.’
She added the police understand there has been ‘public concern’ regarding the shooting.
Mourners gather at Gorton Cemetery for Clive Pinnock while ignoring social distancing rules
Mr Pinnock grew up on a notorious estate in Longsight. He was riding a green Kawasaki motorcycle in Gorton when it was in a collision with a BMW. He was badly hurt and later died in hospital. Pictured: The burial last night
The mourners at Gorton Cemetery were pictured ignoring social-distancing rules as they packed around the grave on Thursday night
Some of the fancy and bizarre vehicles to attend the funeral procession are pictured (left, a Rolls Royce, and right, a quad bike)
Mr Pinnock, who grew up on the notorious Anson estate in Longsight, was riding a green Kawasaki motorbike on Hyde Road in Gorton when it was involved in a collision with a BMW on April 8.
He was badly hurt and later died in hospital. A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drink driving in connection with the collision.
Before Mr Pinnock’s funeral took place, police said they attended ‘several gatherings’ relating to last night’s ceremony.
A police chief confirmed neighbourhood officers ‘engaged’ with those present at a large vigil in the city on April 11.
The Government has urged social distancing at burials and for the number of mourners to be restricted by funeral directors to only include close family.
Some of the members of the huge crowd who turned out for Mr Pinnock’s funeral are photograph ahead of the burial last night
Police taped off Gorton Cemetery after the incident involving the gunman at Mr Pinnock’s funeral (pictured on Thursday night)
A group of police officers are seen around the graves in Gorton Cemetery on Friday morning after the shooting the previous night
Before Mr Pinnock’s funeral took place, police said they attended ‘several gathering’ relating to last night’s ceremony. Pictured: Following last night’s shooting, police on the scene on Friday