Paul Massey: Detectives hunt lone gunman who shot dead Salford's 'Mr Big' in 'targeted attack'

The 55-year-old was killed as he got out of his car on Sunday night

Undated BBC handout photo of Paul Massey, who it is reported has been shot dead at a house in Salford in what police described as a "targeted attack" (PA)

Detectives in Manchester are hunting a lone gunman who shot dead an infamous nightclub security boss known as the city’s ‘Mr Big’ while he was getting out of his car.

Paul Massey, a father of five who had served a jail term for a stabbing and was suspected of continued links to organised crime, was killed in what police describe as a “targeted” attack.

The 55-year-old was shot outside his home in the Clifton area of Salford on Sunday evening. Massey managed to call emergency services from his driveway but was declared dead at the scene.

Police refused to speculate about the motives for his murder, but Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle of Greater Manchester Police said the victim “didn’t stand a chance.”

“This was in cold blood. Whoever has done this has no care for human life,” she said.

Several eyewitnesses told police that a white male wearing green or khaki military style top and trousers with the lower part of this face concealed approached Massey as he got out of his silver BMW car and shot him. Police say the attacker then ran off down the side of a nearby church.

A floral tribute left near the scene in Clifton, Salford, after businessman Paul Massey was shot dead at his house last night (PA)

Massey was a well-known figure in his home city of Salford, and had been involved in security firms operating in Manchester and beyond.

He had first been dubbed “Mr Big” by a local councillor in Salford following civil disturbances in the city in the 1990s, and he was later jailed for 14 years for a knife attack outside a nightclub in Manchester city centre. He fled to Amsterdam but was extradited back to face trial.

In a 1998 television interview that was never broadcast, he predicted he would be shot dead. In the film, Massey said: “I could be shot dead anytime. I have realised that for years but if it’s meant to happen its meant to happen. That’s the end of it. I am prepared to face that - I know the stakes.”

He was regarded as a “target” criminal by police, and had previously claimed MI5 and the police were monitoring him.

In 2012, Massey asked voters to forget his reputation for violence insisting it was in the past and people had misjudged him when he ran for election as mayor of Salford. He failed to convince voters his “Mr Big” days were behind him, however, polling nearly 2,000 votes but finishing seventh out of 10 candidates.

Salford’s mayor Ian Steward described Massey’s murder as “shocking” and appealed for people to come forward and give evidence, “anonymously, if necessary,” he said.

It was revealed that he was still under investigation by police probing allegations of money laundering, despite his protestations. He was arrested with five others in December 2011 as part of a police probe into a Salford-based security company, 21st Century. Police said they were investigating “irregularities” at the firm which employed Massey as a consultant.

The firm later collapsed after the arrests and Massey accused police of conducting a “witch hunt” against him.

Mr Massey’s body is yet to be formally identified but his next-of-kin had been informed. They appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Police at the scene in Clifton, Salford, after businessman Paul Massey was shot dead at his house last night (PA)

The victim’s cousin, Elaine Taylor, defended his reputation. “Paul wasn’t a gangster. Everyone is chatting about what he did 14 years ago but that’s history. He came out (of prison) a new man. He looked after people and he was a good person.

“He was a very family orientated man with a big heart. We’ve all got a history. We’ve all done wrong in our lives and made mistakes. He was a good man. We’re all gonna miss him,” she told the Manchester Evening News.

After the shooting Tony Lloyd, Manchester’s Police Commissioner, appealed for calm and warned against retaliatory attacks.

Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said: “We know that shots were fired at Paul and do not believe this was a random attack. We are still working to establish a motive, which, is not yet known."

She appealed for witnesses to come forward: “I would urge anybody with information about what happened last night to come forward. I want to reiterate that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.

“We have extra officers in the area to offer reassurance to the community and if anyone has any concerns, please talk to our officers."