Six arrests have been made following a shooting incident in Manchester's vibrant Gay Village, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 24. Officers were dispatched to Richmond Street, a thoroughfare adjacent to Canal Street in the city centre, at approximately 5 am after receiving reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, police located a man at a property on the street who had sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. He was immediately transported to the hospital; fortunately, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, as confirmed by a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesperson.

Armed officers quickly secured the scene and subsequently discovered a firearm inside the property. Detectives conducting the investigation believe the shooting was a targeted incident, reassuring the public that there is no wider threat to the general community. In connection with the incident, six men, aged between 23 and 26, have been apprehended on suspicion of affray and firearms offences. All arrested individuals are currently in police custody, where they await questioning by detectives.

Investigations are actively underway at the scene, with a police cordon remaining in place on Richmond Street throughout the morning. Forensic officers have been seen meticulously working within the cordoned-off area, entering and exiting an apartment block as they gather evidence. Further amplifying the scale of the investigation, a second police cordon was established yards away on Princess Street. A Mercedes G-Class vehicle, or 'G-Wagon,' was pictured within this taped-off area, with forensic officers focusing their attention on the vehicle. The Manchester Evening News understands this second cordon is directly linked to the shooting on Richmond Street.

Superintendent Stephen Wiggins, from GMP's city of Manchester division, addressed the community, stating, "This will undoubtedly be a concerning incident to be waking up to, not just for those who live and work in the city centre, but for the whole of Greater Manchester." He commended the swift action of officers in establishing the situation, detaining suspects, and recovering a firearm. Superintendent Wiggins also highlighted the force's commitment to combating gun crime, noting that the Serious Crime Division has removed 168 firearms from Greater Manchester's streets since 2023. He reiterated the belief that this was a targeted incident with no broader public threat.

In a significant update later in the afternoon, police confirmed that the shooting is emphatically not being treated as a hate crime. Superintendent Wiggins affirmed, "After exploring many lines of enquiries, I can confirm that this is not a hate crime of any nature, and I think it is important to share that update due to the locality of the incident." He also confirmed the victim is in a stable condition. Carl Austin-Behan, Vice Chair of the Village license Business Association and chair of GMP Independent Advisory Group - City Centre, further reinforced this, stating, "I would like to reassure Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Community that based on all the information that we have received, this was not a targeted attack on Manchester Gay Village or our community." He emphasized that the Gay Village remains a safe and welcoming space, supported by extra GMP patrols and the LGBT Foundation Village Angels.

While Princess Street has since been reopened, investigations on Richmond Street continue. Officers are working relentlessly to understand the motive behind the discharge. GMP urges any witnesses, or anyone with CCTV footage or information pertaining to the incident, to come forward. They can be contacted on 0161 856 4259 or 101, quoting log 600 of 24/01/2026. Information can also be reported via LiveChat on the GMP website or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.