Halton McCollin - Appeal

On what would have been his 21st birthday, detectives have renewed their call for people to come forward with information about Halton McCollin's murder.

Eleven months since the promising young footballer was shot in the head in a Stretford takeaway, officers are making it clear that the investigation into his murder is still active.

Halton was shot once in the head in the takeaway on 19 January 2008. He died several days later in hospital.

Officers are looking for three men who were seen to approach the takeaway in masks before one of them opened fire on Halton and his friends.

In the last few months detectives from the dedicated team investigating Halton's murder have uncovered some new clues to assist the inquiry.

Crucially, officers have now found the gun they believed was used to murder Halton.

The gun, a silver revolver, was found when officers searched a house on Parrs Wood Road in May 2008 as part of an unconnected investigation.

The gun was seized and forensically examined and through ballistic testing officers established that bullets found at the China Garden takeaway on Chester Road had been fired from this gun.

Asim Bashir (born 02/09/1988) of Parrs Wood Road was jailed for six years for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in September in connection with this seizure.

Detective Superintendent Pete Jackson, who is leading this investigation, said: "We feel like we are closing the gap on Halton's killers, but we still need people's help to bring his family some justice.

"He would have been 21 today, but instead of celebrating his birthday with him his family and his mates will be visiting his grave.

"We are not going to give up on finding Halton's murderers. We have been very busy behind the scenes speaking to people and collecting evidence about who was there that night, and who might be responsible. Halton's family have also been working closely with us, doing whatever they can to encourage people to tell us what they know.

"It might be that you think you know something insignificant but that, at this stage in the inquiry, is absolutely crucial to us. How can you stay silent when you know that you can come to us in total secrecy? We can and will protect your identity and we know that coming forward is hard, but surely it is better than living life knowing you hold the key to solving this murder.

"Halton's death was needless. He had so much potential. We will keep trying to bring his killers to court. I urge you again to help us."

A £20,000 reward is available for anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of Halton's killers.

Anyone with any information about Halton's murder can contact police on 0161 856 3691 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Anyone with any information about gun crime can talk to specialist officers at GMP's Xcalibre Task Force on 0161 856 4438. All information will be treated in the strictest of confidence.