Shocking footage has emerged showing mourners running for their lives after a gunman opened fire at the funeral of a Manchester godfather dubbed ‘Mr Ibiza’.
Dozens of people who broke social distancing rules to attend the service of criminal Clive Pinnock, 38, were forced to flee when a series of gunshots were fired within the crowd at Gorton cemetery, Manchester, on Thursday.
As well-wishers drank beer and blared music out of speakers near to the gravesite, a man armed with a gun sneaked into the cemetery and shot at the crowd, which included young children.
In the video, taken by a man attending with his friends, someone can be heard shouting ‘Who’s shooting? Who’s shooting?’ as the crowd quickly disperses through the trees and armed police arrive.
‘It was terrifying. Everyone was playing their respects to Clive and having a drink and remembering old times while some music played,’ an onlooker told the Sun.
‘Then there was a popping sound and people started running. It took a few seconds to realise it was gunfire and then everyone started running and trying to find cover behind gravestones and in cars.’
Dozens of people who broke social distancing rules to attend the service of criminal ‘Mr Ibiza’ Clive Pinnock, 38, were forced to flee when a series of gunshots were fired within the crowd at Gorton cemetery, Manchester
In the video, taken by a man attending with his friends, someone can be heard shouting ‘Who’s shooting? Who’s shooting?’ as the crowd quickly disperses through the trees and armed police arrive
Greater Manchester Police said they allowed the large gathering of mourners at the funeral because they believed closing it down would endanger public safety and it was ‘clear that the emotions of those at the gathering were high’
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that a man has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in relation to the incident. Mohammed Haseeb Umar is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Police were called to the cemetery at 7pm on Thursday following reports that gunshots were heard following ‘several gatherings’.
In a statement, GMP said: ‘Mohammed Haseeb Umar, 23 of Broadlea Road, Burnage has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Detectives are continuing to appeal for information following the incident, and asking witnesses with any footage or images to contact the force.
Another man, 34, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after being found injured at the cemetery.
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.
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.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that a man has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in relation to the incident. Mohammed Haseeb Umar is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday
Detectives are continuing to appeal for information following the incident, and asking witnesses with any footage or images to contact the force
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)
Police added that evidence of gunshots has been retrieved from the scene and a cordon remains in place.
Mr Pinnock died after a collision between a green Kawasaki motorbike he was riding and a BMW on Hyde Road on Wednesday April 8. His notoriety within the local community resulted in hundreds of people turning up to his funeral, breaching the Government’s social distancing rules.
Greater Manchester Police said they allowed the large gathering of mourners at the funeral because they believed closing it down would endanger public safety and it was ‘clear that the emotions of those at the gathering were high’.
Superintendent Rebecca Boyce from Greater Manchester Police later addressed questions about why such a large groups had been allowed to gather despite the coronavirus lockdown.
She 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.
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)
‘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.
Mr Pinnock was known as ‘Mr Ibiza because of his links to the club scene on the island and in the Greater Manchester area.
He 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