Single mum speaks out after gunshots blasted through window as she slept inside with two children

A terrified single mum has spoken out after gunshots were blasted through her window as she slept inside the house with her two young children.

The gunman, who is still at large, is thought to have randomly opened fire at the property on Harton Avenue in Gorton, in the early hours of Tuesday morning (June 2).

Gunshots were blasted through a window at the front of the house, sending shards of glass flying and leaving ball bearings scattered around the living room.

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The victim, a single mum of two children aged just three and five, only moved into the house last month and has been left shaken by the 'traumatic' incident.

The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, has since told the Manchester Evening News that due to being unwell, she slept through the entire shooting, that she only noticed after going downstairs later that day.

"I was in bed with my children in the back of the house," she said. "I slept the whole way through it, I heard nothing and didn't react because I was so poorly in bed.

"I came back down at around 1pm and there was a big gaping hole in my window, the curtains were flapping around."

It was only when the horrified single mum called the police that she was made aware of what had happened. Forensics also arrived and conducted investigations throughout Tuesday, as she was moved out of the house for her safety.

She claimed that her neighbour heard the gunshots at around 4am and that police had also received a 999 call at around the same time reporting a gun being fired in the area.

She added: "There were small ball bearings and a cork from the inside of the bullet. At first, I didn't realise it was from a gunshot, I thought someone had just put my window through.

"Then the police explained there were small circle indentations over the PVC and grey residue everywhere. Forensics have been in and out, and the police have been amazing, they've removed us from the property and are being supportive.

"I only moved in just four weeks ago. It's a corner property, so whoever it is has purposely targeted the house. Thankfully we slept through it all and were sleeping in the back room so my children didn't hear anything.

"I'm a single mum; I keep myself to myself. It's absolutely traumatic, and I'm on edge as to whether I want to go back to the house or not because they could come back. I don't know where I stand with the safety of my children.

"Anyone that I see in the area, I'm questioning if it's them."

A GMP spokesperson said: "At around 2pm yesterday (2 July 2024) officers responded to reports of criminal damage at a property on Harton Avenue, Manchester.

"Officers attended the scene and subsequent enquiries found that a firearm is believed to have been discharged at around 4am earlier that day. No injuries have been reported and enquiries are ongoing."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1794 of 02/07/24.