TL;DR

• A man in his twenties was shot in the leg in Manchester’s Gay Village at 5am.
• Police say the shooting was “targeted” but not a hate crime.
• A gun was found at the scene; six men (ages 23–26) were arrested.
• LGBTQ+ community leaders reassure residents the Village remains safe.

Man Shot in ‘Targeted’ Attack in Manchester’s Gay Village

Police Say It Was Not a Hate Crime Despite Location

A man has been rushed to hospital after being shot in Manchester’s Gay Village during the early hours of Saturday morning — an incident police insist was not motivated by homophobia, despite happening in the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ nightlife district.

Greater Manchester Police were called to Richmond Street at around 5am on 24 January after reports of a disturbance. When they arrived, officers found a man in his twenties inside a nearby property with a gunshot wound to the leg and a firearm lying close by.

The injury, while serious, is not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, according to police.

Just minutes away, officers were also seen inspecting an abandoned Mercedes G-Wagon on Princess Street, which may be connected to the unfolding investigation.

Police: “This is not a hate crime of any nature”

After multiple lines of inquiry, GMP say they are confident the shooting was targeted — meaning the victim was specifically singled out — but that it had nothing to do with the victim’s sexuality or the LGBTQ+ community.

Superintendent Stephen Wiggins said:

“After exploring many lines of enquiry, I can confirm that this is not a hate crime of any nature, and I think it is important to share that update due to the locality of the incident.”

To ease community fears, police will maintain an increased visible presence across the Gay Village “over the coming days.”

Six arrests made

Six men aged 23–26 have been arrested on suspicion of affray and firearm offences. Police have not released their identities or further details as the investigation continues.

Community leaders urge calm and emphasise safety

Carl Austin-Behan — vice chair of the Gay Village’s licensed businesses association and chair of the GMP Independent Advisory Group — issued a statement reassuring locals and visitors that the area remains safe.

He said:

“Based on all the information that we have received, this was not a targeted attack on Manchester Gay Village or our community.”

He praised the ongoing support of GMP, Village venues, door staff and the LGBT Foundation’s Village Angels, who work late-night shifts to assist residents and revellers.

A shaken but resilient LGBTQ+ space

Manchester’s Gay Village is one of the UK’s most historic queer spaces — and one of the most scrutinised whenever crime occurs nearby. Even when incidents are unrelated to homophobia, the community often feels the aftershocks more acutely.

Police continue to investigate the shooting, and officers are asking anyone with information to come forward.

In the meantime, community leaders hope reassurance, transparency and a strong visible presence will keep the Village feeling like what it has long been: a sanctuary.