A 36-year-old man, whose identity has not been officially released, has been arrested in Britain on suspicion of murder after being extradited from Turkey. He was brought to the United Kingdom over the fatal shooting of Abayomi ‘Junior’ Ajose, 36, and Cheriff Tall, 21, at a party in Moss Side, Manchester, in the early hours of June 21, 2020. The party was attended by about 400 people.
The shooting occurred at a gathering described as a spontaneous party in a car park near a block of flats, hours after a Black Lives Matter protest. Greater Manchester Police said the suspect had been detained in Turkey and taken to England the previous day. He was met by police officers at Stansted Airport and remains in custody as detectives continue their investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson said the arrest demonstrated the police’s determination to secure justice for the victims and their families. “This arrest demonstrates our unwavering commitment to securing justice for Junior and Cheriff and their loved ones,” he said. The police investigation has been ongoing for six years.
Higginson explained that detectives had spent the past six years carrying out search warrants, analysing evidence, examining seized devices and pursuing leads to identify those responsible. “While this arrest marks a significant development in our investigation, our work is far from over,” Higginson said. The police are still seeking information that could lead to the identification and conviction of those responsible for the killings.
A £50,000 reward remains available for information that could lead to the identification and conviction of those responsible for the killings. The police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward, particularly those who attended the party but had yet to speak to investigators. “The smallest piece of information could prove to be vital,” Higginson said.
Anyone with information can contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 3691, quoting incident number 221 of June 21, 2020. The police are working to establish if there were any other individuals involved in the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected to be released as more information becomes available.
The extradition and arrest of the suspect mark a significant breakthrough in the case. The police's efforts to secure justice for the victims and their families have been ongoing for an extended period. The community is expected to react to the development, and further statements are anticipated from local authorities and the families of the victims.
Key points
- A 36-year-old man has been extradited from Turkey to the UK over the fatal shooting of two men at a party in Manchester in June 2020.
- The suspect, who remains in custody, is being investigated for murder.
- A £50,000 reward remains available for information leading to the identification and conviction of those responsible for the killings.
