Liam Smith: Wigan dad found dead was shot and attacked with acid in Shevington, police confirm

Greater Manchester police have confirmed a man found dead in Wigan had been shot and targeted with acid.

Liam Smith, 38, was found on Kilburn Drive, Shevington - the street where he lived - on Thursday night. Following a post-mortem, police say he had been fatally shot and subjected to an acid attack. Officers described his murder as one which took place in “unique and shocking circumstances on a quiet residential street” and say they are working round the clock. Police warned on Friday of ‘hazardous substances’ on Mr Smith’s body which could pose a risk to anyone who had come into contact with him after his death, but say there is no known wider risk to the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand from GMP’s Major Incident Team who are leading the investigation said: “This is a shocking murder of a much-loved family man. I have a team of detectives working around the clock and I urge anyone who has seen anything unusual or out of the ordinary near to the victim’s home during the day and early evening of Thursday 24 November to contact the Major Incident Room. This is the first fatal shooting in this Manchester area for over two years and we are determined to recover the weapon and find Liam’s killer.”

Specialist officers remain at the scene. Liam’s famly earlier paid tribute to him as a ‘kind-hearted’ man who was ‘the life and soul of the party’.

Anyone with information should contact police via their website here or by call 101 quoting incident number 910 of 25/11/2022.