A 36-year-old man has been arrested on sus**cion of murder following his extradition from Turkey to England in connection with the fatal shootings of Cheriff Tall and Abayomi “Junior” Ajose. The victims were killed during a mass gathering in a Moss Side car park in Manchester.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the suspect was detained abroad before being flown back to the United Kingdom. He was met by force officers at Stansted Airport on Saturday and taken into police custody, marking a major breakthrough in the homicide investigation.
The 2020 Moss Side Car Park Shooting
The fatal incident unfolded in the early hours of June 21, 2020. Cheriff Tall, 21, and Abayomi “Junior” Ajose, 36, who did not know each other, were both shot in the head in a car park off Caythorpe Street in the Moss Side area.
Investigators established that the shooting occurred during a spontaneous lockdown party attended by an estimated 300 to 400 people. The gathering had taken place hours after a Black Lives Matter protest. Both victims were rushed to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Ongoing Police Appeal and Reward
Detective Chief Insp Neil Higginson, heading the force’s major incident team, described the arrest as a to the ongoing determination of investigators.
"This arrest demonstrates our unwavering commitment to securing justice for Junior and Cheriff and their loved ones. Over the years, myself and my officers have been carrying out multiple warrants, analysing evidence, examining devices that have been seized during the investigation and pursuing every opportunity to identify those responsible," Higginson stated.
While the extradition represents a critical turning point, police emphasized that the investigation remains active. Authorities continue to urge witnesses from the crowded 2020 event to come forward with information regarding the full circumstances of the night and any outstanding suspects.
A £50,000 financial reward remains available for key information leading to the successful conviction of the perpetrators. Greater Manchester Police have urged anyone with relevant details to contact them directly or reach out anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers.
