A Trafford suburb was rocked by a shooting incident on Friday night, January 16, when a gunman opened fire in Urmston. The incident occurred around 8:40 PM on Higher Road, prompting a rapid response from emergency services, including armed police who quickly established a cordon.

A 21-year-old man sustained serious gunshot injuries in the attack. He was treated by paramedics at the scene before being rushed to hospital for further medical attention. As of Saturday afternoon, police reported the victim remained in hospital in a "stable but critical condition," indicating the severity of his injuries. A ripped puffa jacket with its padding strewn across the road near a first responder vehicle suggested treatment took place at the scene.

The aftermath of the shooting left local residents and business owners in shock. Edip Berkul, 41, who works at Soho41, expressed his disbelief, stating that such an incident had never occurred in his 16 years in the "very nice family town" of Urmston. He voiced concerns about safety, questioning if it was still safe to walk around. Another unnamed business owner highlighted the horrific nature of the event and its potential negative impact on local businesses, noting that the area is unaccustomed to such serious criminal activity.

Chief Inspector Darren Lomas of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) assured the public that the incident is believed to be a targeted attack, with no wider threat to the community. He emphasized that firearms incidents of this nature are "increasingly rare in Greater Manchester." In response to the shooting, extra patrols have been deployed in the Urmston area, and these will continue through the weekend and into the following week to reassure residents.

Enquiries into the shooting are ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this stage. Detectives are actively appealing for information from the public, as well as any relevant footage that could assist their investigation. GMP has noted its efforts to tackle firearms crime, stating that since 2023, 168 firearms have been removed from the streets of Greater Manchester, contributing to a 59 percent decrease in discharges over the past year (29 incidents) compared to 71 in 2021.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting on Higher Road, Urmston, is urged to contact GMP by calling 101 or by reporting details online via Live Chat, quoting log number 3132 of January 16, 2026. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.