Community in shock after 'scary' double stabbing which killed two men

Terrified neighbours woke to scenes of horror following a double murder on a Manchester street. Two men were stabbed on Great Southern Street, in Moss Side, in the early hours of Sunday morning (November 17).

Emergency services raced out to the scene at 5am. Tragically, the pair couldn't be saved. Police arrested a man in his 20s on suspicion of murder and officers are not looking for any other suspect.

Members of the community have spoken of the 'really scary' and 'unsettling' tragedy to unfold on their doorsteps. A teacher living close to the scene was awake marking papers at the time the incident unfolded.

READ MORE: Met Office issues update as 15-hour snow and ice warning hits Greater Manchester

She told the Manchester Evening News: "I could hear helicopters. I could see the blue flashing lights through the window. I thought, ‘what’s going on?’.

"I thought it must have been something serious because there were loads of police. I was in shock, thinking, ‘what’s happening?’. Something like this has never happened before. I’ve got children. It’s horrible; it’s really shocking.”

An eyewitness saw the moment police first arrived on the street near to his home. He described seeing emergency services rush to the aid of a man in the middle of the street outside, where tragedy had struck.

Another neighbour described hearing a helicopter in the early hours of the morning, before seeing 'all the officers and the police tape' when she woke up. "I knew it had to be serious," she said. "It’s horrible; it’s really scary. It’s unsettling to live nearby.”

Great Southern Street has been taped off throughout the day, alongside some neighbouring streets. Forensics officers were seen taking photographic evidence and searching the area, while two forensic tents were erected.

Evidence markers were placed on the ground, while items were bagged up for inspection and blood splatters were seen on the road. Some armed response officers were also seen in attendance.

A dad living close to the scene spoke of his fear for his young family following the incident. “It’s scary,” he said. “I’ve got small kids so it’s not good what’s happening here.

“I don’t send my kids out after 7pm for their safety. I was discussing with my wife that we need to move somewhere - a nice, decent place. This is shocking.”

Greater Manchester Police has moved to reassure members of the public in Moss Side, insisting the incident was isolated and the sole suspect is in police custody. Chief Superintendent Dave Meeney said: "This morning two lives have been lost in our community, and our thoughts go to their families who have lost a loved one today.

"We have launched a murder investigation, and detectives from our Major Incident Team continue to work diligently conducting CCTV trawls and speaking to witnesses to find out what has happened to the victims. We swiftly made an arrest this morning and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this.

"We are treating it as an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public. We understand the shockwaves that this devastating news will have caused in the local community and further afield across Greater Manchester.

"We have placed a number of local neighbourhood officers in the area to conduct visible patrols to reassure the community. If you have any concerns, please speak to them, they are there to lend a listening ear."

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact GMP on 101, quoting 553 of November 17, 2024. Information can be shared anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.