Third man arrested in connection with gun and grenade attacks

Police have arrested a man in connection with two attacks in Clayton and Droylsden in which a man was killed.

Officers arrested the 37-year-old man late last night on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody where he will be questioned by detectives today.

The victim in Friday’s attack has now been formally identified as 46-year-old David Short – father of Mark Short, who was recently killed at the Cotton Tree pub in May 2012.

A 31-year-old man arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder of Mark Short is still being questioned by police.

A second man, aged 25 was arrested on Sunday night on suspicion of murder has also now been bailed.

A Home Office post-mortem examination has concluded that David Short died from multiple gun shot wounds and explosion injury.

David’s body was found at an address on Folkestone Road East in Clayton shortly after 10.30am on Friday 10 August 2012, after police were called following reports of gunshots. There had also been an explosion at the address, which was later found to have been caused by a grenade.

A second grenade explosion took place nine minutes later outside a house on Luke Road in Droylsden, but no-one was injured during this incident.

Police are continuing to seach for 29-year-old Dale Cregan and 33-year-old Anthony Wilkinson, who they also wish to speak to following Friday’s attacks.

Cregan is also wanted in connection with the murder of Mark Short, David’s son, at the Cotton Tree Pub on 25 May 2012.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police at the Major Incident Team on 0161 856 3301 or 101, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.