A TEENAGE boxer who was gunned down in the street was not the intended target of the shooting, say detectives.

Police have revealed that Cole Hershaw was in a Ford Mondeo which had been pursued by a silver-grey BMW from Bury town centre to Chesham Road, just before 9.40pm last night.

Cole is said to have left the Mondeo and 'two to three shots' were fired from the second group, according to investigators.

The 18-year-old was hit in the shoulder before the second group left the scene.

Cole was taken to hospital for emergency treatment but died a short time later.

Chief Supt Stuart Ellison, who is leading the investigation said: "The associates of the deceased have suggested that it was likely it was a targeted attack but that Cole was not the intended target.

"We want to reassure people in the community that there does not appear to be a wider threat to the community from this incident."

The senior officer also said Cole's death was "not because of any wrongdoing on his part".

The Bolton News:

Mr Ellison added: "This is an absolute tragedy and we will do everything in our power to bring everyone involved in this incident to justice."

Detectives have not given any further details of either the people who were in Cole's car - or the occupants of the BMW but have confirmed that investigations are ongoing.

Large parts of the Chesham Road area have been cordoned off by police while forensic experts comb the scene for clues.

Floral tributes have also been left for Cole at the perimeter of the police cordon.

The Bolton News:

His local boxing club, BrickCity, was among the first to pay tribute to the teenager, who lived locally.