Liam Smith murder: man arrested in Sheffield after death of Wigan man in acid and gun attack

Liam Smith’s body was found on Kilburn Drive in Wigan on the evening of Thursday 24 November 2022.
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Police have bailed a man who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder following the death of Wigan dad, Liam Smith.

GMP said a 35-year-old man had been detained in Sheffield on 19 January but he has since been bailed. A 39-year-old man who was arrested on 20 January was being questioned by police. Mr Smith, 38, was found dead on Kilburn Drive in Wigan, close to where he lived, on the evening of Thursday 24 November 2022. A post-mortem confirmed he had been shot and targeted with acid.

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Police said so far, four warrants and 28 premises searches have been executed as part of the murder inquiry and they continue to appeal for anyone who may know anything to contact them.

Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “This is a shocking murder of a much-loved family man. As the investigation progresses, we have specially trained officers who have been deployed to support them and keep them updated throughout.

“This attack was a sickening display of violence that will not tolerated in Greater Manchester. Our investigation is moving at pace, and we continue to work relentlessly to capture a picture of what happened in the events leading up to Liam’s death.

“Liam died from a fatal gunshot wound in what appeared to be a swift and well-planned out attack on a man who was not previously known to police. I ask anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area that evening to come forward and know that information will be treated with the strictest confidence. It only takes one crucial piece of information that may be key to achieving answers for Liam’s family and friends.”

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Following Mr Smith’s death, his family issued a tribute saying: “Liam was kind-hearted, funny, the life and soul of the party. He was the most devoted dad, much loved son, brother, grandson and uncle.”

  • Any details should be passed via the police LiveChat function here or by calling 101 quoting incident number 910 of 25/11/2022. Information can also be submitted through the Major Incident Public Portal here.