Halton McCollin

Halton McCollin died on 22 January 2008 three days after he was shot in the back of the head in the China Garden takeaway in Stretford.

It is thought he had been a victim of mistaken identity.

Halton McCollin had been on his way to a house party with some friends when he stopped off at the China Garden takeaway on Chester Road at around 9pm on the Saturday, 19 January 2008.

It was thought that three men had parked a car up near the Gorse Hill pub and then gone down an alleyway before splitting up with one going left, away from the China Garden takeaway and the other going to the door of the China Garden takeaway and then firing three shots inside and then running back off down the alley. CCTV evidence was recovered showing the men thought to have been involved with his shooting.

Halton McCollin and other people had tried to run but Halton McCollin was hit in the back of the head. He was taken to hospital, but later died from his injuries.

The weapon was believed to have been a silver revolver which was later found in a house on Parrs Wood Road in May 2008 during an unconnected investigation. A man was later jailed for possession of the gun. Police said that the gun was also linked to several other shootings including the murder of Tyrone Gilbert, a known gangster.

It was later thought that Halton McCollin had been shot in the belief that he had been a Manchester United footballer who was later convicted for possession of a firearm and ammunition. The police said that Halton McCollin and the footballer had similar facial features and might have been mixed up by the gunman.

The police said that Halton McCollin had no criminal convictions and wasn’t in a gang.