A MAN was blasted in the head with a shotgun in an alleyway behind his end-terraced home.

Mark Walsh, 35, yesterday underwent surgery as a manhunt was launched for the gunman.

Witnesses described seeing a car speed off immediately after the shooting, which saw armed officers called out.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Police yesterday had sealed off the alleyway as residents in the street described hearing a loud ‘boom’, which they initially believed was a firework going off.

The shooting in Maudsley Street, Accrington, was at around 9pm on Monday and police have said the gunman knew his victim.

Mr Walsh, a member of Cobras MMA Kick-Boxing (Accrington), was taken to Royal Preston Hospital by ambulance, where staff had been put on stand-by for his arrival.

Last night after having pellets removed from his head, he was in a serious, but not life-threatening condition.

People in the area said they had been left ‘shocked and scared’ by the attack.

One man described how he was walking from Burnley Road 20 minutes after the shooting when he was challenged by an armed officer.

He said: “He was in full riot gear, with a shield and helmet. The gun he had seemed to be modified, and he was shining a light right in my face. There were at least two armed officers and I counted 15 unarmed officers.”

 

“Mr Walsh came out the house on a stretcher and I could see he was bandaged up. I just hope he’s all right.”

“We have been here six months and never had a problem but it is a rough area. We are moving next month and I can’t wait.”

Yesterday police tape stretched across the street as officers stood guard.

Specialist crime scene investigators, dressed in white overalls, also scoured the alleyway for evidence.

Resident Ian Smith, who works for Maundy Grange in Abbey Street, said he was so scared following the incident he had to call his friend to stay over with him.

He now plans to move as quickly as possible.

The 52-year-old said: “I did not want to stop here on my own. We have not been to sleep. I have only been here six months and I don’t trust it around here now.

“I had to ring work and say I wasn’t going in. It’s put me on edge. I can’t stop shaking.”

Marley Gallacher, 20, only moved into Maudsley Street on Saturday, along with her partner Seth.

She said: “I heard a massive bang and then a woman screaming. Then the police came.

“We moved from a really rough area and thought this would be nicer and full of older people, but people are being shot.

“I’m a bit shocked to find that out.”

Detective Supt Eddie Thistlethwaite, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “We are in the early stages of this investigation but I would urge anyone with information to get in touch.

“We have a large team of officers and staff working on this inquiry and we are determined to bring those responsible to justice.”

He added: “The discharge of a firearm in Lancashire is rare and this is the first incident we have had for some time in East division.

“I would reassure the public that patrols will be stepped up in the area and a team of highly trained officers are dealing with this incident.”

Police inspector John Fryer said the shooting was not ‘random’, and said officers were ‘actively seeking’ a suspect.

An incident room has been set up in Blackburn, patrols were stepped up, and major routes in and out of Accrington were being watched by officers.