Gunman executed 'Good Samaritan' who tried to help man shot dead at party

04 February 2024 , 22:15

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Abayomi Ajose (left) and Cheriff Tall were shot dead (Image: PA)

A young man was shot dead after stepping in to help a man during an argument that broke out following a lockdown party, an inquest has been told.

The mystery shooter blasted Cheriff Tall, 21, in the head and moments later did the same to Abayomi 'Junior' Ajose, 36, as he came to help. Three-and-a-half years on from the murders, the killer remains at large. The young men were gunned down shortly before 1am on June 21, 2020, at a party on a car park off Caythorpe Street in Moss Side when the first national lockdown was in place.

On Friday, Manchester Area Coroner Zak Golombek, recording unlawful killing verdicts, appealed for witnesses to come forward to help bring justice to the families and said: "These were senseless acts of violence against two innocent individuals."

The name of the suspect, believed to be from Birmingham, was very quickly known by police and the community of Moss Side but he has so far managed to evade capture. Detectives believe he has fled the country. Following the shooting, the gunman fled and both men were taken in cars to Manchester Royal Infirmary but succumbed to devastating head injuries, Manchester Coroners' Court heard.

Earlier in the day, the car park off Caythorpe Street was the scene of a 'family event', including face-painting and even a bouncy castle. Mr Ajose attended with his children, the court was told. But from 8pm it turned into an 'after party' for the adults, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson, who is leading the investigation, told the coroner.

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Mr Golombek suggested that until the shooting the after-party had 'gone really well' and DCI Higginson said: "We weren't aware of any issues or trouble at that event."

The detective confirmed the shootings occurred as the after-party was coming to a close. Greater Manchester Police started to receive the first reports of shots at 56 minutes past midnight, the court was told. Mr Tall lived close by the event and Mr Ajose lived further away but neither man knew the other, the officer confirmed.

Police want to speak to five potential witnesses from the party (PA)

Images have been released in a bid to speak to five people pictured (PA)

Between 300 and 400 people were at the party at that time and detectives have identified 456 different people who attended at some point during the day, the court heard. The investigation has spoken to some of the people they believe were present although some of those denied they were there, said the detective.

Mr Ajose attended the after-party with one of his old school friends and also his brother-in-law. The school friend left about 12.30am and Mr Ajose remained with his brother-in-law although they separated later on, said the officer. About five minutes before the shooting, Mr Ajose went to check a man who appeared to be drunk and he followed him to the right corner of the car park, the court heard.

Police would like to speak to this man (PA)

This woman was pictured by officers as a potential witness (PA)

The detective said his 'working hypothesis' was that Mr Tall was shot first 'following some form of argument or altercation' with a gunman in the area or people with him. Mr Ajose 'intervened' and was also shot, said the officer, who confirmed about 20 seconds elapsed between the shootings.

People who were at the event drove the two victims to Manchester Royal Infirmary where their deaths were confirmed. Mr Ajose's death was confirmed at 1.25am and Mr Tall was confirmed dead at 10.01am. Post mortem examinations confirmed both men had been shot in the head.

DCI Higginson said the murders were 'quite unusual' in that they had taken place 'in front of so many people'. He explained his officers had tried to speak to everybody they had identified as being present either earlier in the day or at the after-party. CCTV footage had been trawled and 'debris' found at the scene had been examined, he said.

Officers would like to speak to this man (PA)

Abayomi 'Junior' Ajose was shot in the head whilst trying to help (MEN Media)

Four gun cartridges were found at the scene, three of them 'spent', all forensically inked to the same weapon, the court was told. Each victim was shot once. Some 149 statements have been taken although the 'vast majority' were police officers or professional witnesses, the detective confirmed. Some 1,500 exhibits had been seized including 59 mobile phones and 89 CCTV clips taken from 24 locations.

Pressed by the coroner, the officer confirmed a file of evidence had been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which decided against pressing charges. DCI Higginson, however, said the investigation remains 'live' and he added: "We have been conducting recent enquires on this case and any opportunity we get we will continue to do so in terms of further lines of enquiry coming to us will be pursued. It's our belief from the beginning these men have been murdered. Both have been victims of gunshots to the head, single gunshots, and both have been killed by the same individual."

Cheriff Tall died following the party (MEN Media)

No suspect was named in court. Coroner Golombek touched on a statement he had received from Mr Tall's mother Suwaidu Sanyang, who was in court, which had described 'what a special young man he was'. Mr Tall's brother Yankuba Sambou told the court his 'little brother' was a 'lovely guy'. "He was just a normal kid," he said.

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The coroner also referenced a statement from Mr Ajose's wife Lola which confirmed they had three children together and had been together 13 years, three of them as man and wife. On the night, he was being a 'Good Samaritan', the court was told. Recording unlawful killing verdicts, Coroner Golombek praised the 'commendable' police investigation so far but stressed to Mr Tall's family members that the investigation was continuing. Mr Ajose's family said to be too upset to attend the hearing.

Police on Caythorpe Street in Moss Side (MEN Media)

"These were senseless acts of violence against two innocent individuals. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering you as a family and everyone else who knew them must have suffered at the time and continues to suffer," said Mr Golombek. "But the conclusion of this hearing does not conclude the police investigation. I would again appeal to anyone who has any information that's not yet come forward to the police to do so and assist the police investigation and assist the families."

Anyone with information is urged to contact GMP in confidence on 0161 856 0110, quoting incident number 221 of 21/06/20. Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

John Scheerhout