Man shot dead at birthday party (From South Wales Argus)

Man shot dead at birthday party

1:03pm Saturday 26th May 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

A man celebrating at a 60th birthday party has been shot dead by "a lone gunman".

The victim, named by sources as 23-year-old Mark Short, was gunned down in the Cotton Tree pub in Market Street, Droylsden, Greater Manchester shortly before 11.50pm on Friday.

Three other men, believed to be related to Mr Short, were also injured and are being treated in hospital.

Speaking from the scene, Chief Superintendent Nick Adderley said a man burst into the private party and opened fire on a group of men around the pool table.

"We don't believe this to be a random attack, although we are not clear about who the intended victim was," he said.

"We understand this was a family occasion and that a lone gunman walked into the premises and opened fire on a group of males stood by the pool table."

Between 20 and 30 people, aged 18-65, were said to be in the pub at the time.

Mr Adderley said officers were keeping an open mind about the motive but said all the victims were known to the police.

Two men, aged 25 and 26, were shot in the leg and a 29-year-old man was shot in his lower back.

The gunman was wearing a balaclava and escaped in a Ford Focus which was found abandoned and alight in Ellison Close, Hattersley a short time later.