Video Re-appeal over murder of Lee Erdmann

Detectives investigating the shooting of Lee Erdmann have launched a fresh appeal to get his killer locked up before Christmas.


Lee, 37, was gunned down in a Salford pub in September 2011 and his family are now facing their first Christmas without him.


Yesterday, Sunday 18 December 2011, was also due to be Lee's 38th birthday.


Since Lee died officers have encountered a reluctance by witnesses to come forward and tell them who was responsible for the murder.


In a bid to encourage witnesses to come forward and break the 'wall of silence', officers now have a range of measures available to protect them. In addition, the life-changing amount of £50,000 remains available for anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible for the murder


Lee, 37, was shot in the Wellington pub on Regent Road, Salford, at around 2.50am on Saturday 10 September 2011.


It is believed Lee had been standing at the bar, in the lounge of the pub, when another customer he had been talking to calmly shot him in the chest and then left. There had been no argument between the two men or anyone else.


An extensive investigation carried out by the Major Incident Team has seen officers interview hundreds of people, a number of which were in the pub at the time of the shooting.


Detectives continue to believe a number of witnesses from the pub have yet to come forward.


Six men have been arrested and bailed over the shooting, but detectives continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward.


Detective Chief Inspector Jon Chadwick, of the Major Incident Team, is leading the investigation. He said: "Lee's mother Patricia will tell you the devastating effect that losing a son in these circumstances has on a family.


"Not only could she not enjoy Lee's birthday yesterday, but she and her family now face her first Christmas without him.


"What has made the family's grieving process even more painful is the fact that offensive graffiti has appeared on walls across Salford, threatening anyone who speaks to the police whilst the person responsible just carries on with their life .


"This not only creates unnecessary fear in the community, but has a devastating affect on any family who see it.


"We believe there were a number of people in The Wellington that we have not yet spoken to - some of them may have seen a man shot dead before their eyes.


"People have been reluctant to tell us the whole story of what they saw and, in some parts of the community there has been effectively a wall of silence.


"We want to break through that and remind people that we have a range a measures available to us to ensure you are not identified if you speak to us and to keep you and your family safe.


"The life-changing sum of £50,000 remains available for anyone providing information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Lee's murder. In addition to this, because the Wellington CCTV hardrive was stolen at the time by those involved, a reward of £20,000 is offered for any information leading to the recovery of CCTV footage showing how Lee was murdered - whether this leads to conviction or not.


"There is also a £10,000 reward offered for information leading to the recovery of the firearm used to kill Lee, again whether this leads to conviction or not.


"I would like to remind people that these rewards can all be claimed anonymously via Crimestoppers. The police need never know who you are."


Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Incident Team on 0161 8561722 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.