Man found with gunshot wounds dies

Shortly before 11.10pm on Thursday November 3, police were called to Manchester Road, Westhoughton, to what was initially reported as a failure to stop collision.

Officers attended and found 28-year-old Michael Blake with a gunshot wound to his leg and a gunshot wound to the back of his head.

He was taken to hospital in a life threatening condition but sadly died shortly after 10am the next day.

Detective Superintendent Jon Chadwick, Head of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “We don’t know why Michael was killed and we are still in the early stages of our investigation. So we really need the public’s help.

“Witnesses have described seeing Michael get into a light coloured van shortly before he was shot, so we are now searching for the van and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen it in the area around the time Michael was shot.

“Manchester Road is always busy and there will have been people around at that time so if you were in the area between 10.30pm and 11.30pm please have a think, you might have seen something that could really help us find Michael’s killer.

“Michael’s family are obviously devastated by his death and I’m determined to get them the answers they deserve. My thoughts are with them at this tragic time.”