One shopper described the terrifying moment a man was stabbed to death at a local Asda in a raid that went “out of control” in which the “n-word” was shouted. Police were called to the supermarket on Milne Street in Chadderton around 6pm on Friday night (February 24) following reports of a stabbing.
Police say the injuries sustained are not believed to be life-threatening and an investigation has been launched. No arrests have been made thus far.
On Friday night photos and videos on social media showed large numbers of police officers in Asda. According to an eyewitness, residents were seen fleeing the store at one point after the incident, which reportedly began with two men “arguing among themselves” and escalated into a machete attack.
Another witness, who said he saw the moment the machete was brandished, told the MEN that one of the parties involved used the n-word against the other.
The witness who was inside the store when the raid began said, “One of them was saying ‘come outside,’ I’ll show you what I can do.’ He was jumping in and out of Asda.
“The security guard came and tried to split them up, but it was basically getting out of hand. He went to him, I’ll fix you when we’re outside.
“I could hear him screaming at the top of his lungs. When they both got out, because security had taken them outside, everyone else started screaming.”
“My husband was in his car and I was on the phone with him telling him that there is a fight. When my husband came out he heard the white man call the black man “n*****”.
“He ran back and pulled out a machete and slashed at the other man. He just walked away and then they were still there saying things to each other.”
“It was very scary when I first saw him living in Oldham for over 40 years. I am always shopping at Asda, sometimes alone and sometimes with my young children.”
The eyewitness, who was shopping at Asda, said the incident occurred just before 6:00pm on Friday (Feb 24) and police invaded the area minutes later.
They told the MEN that when the officers arrived, the store was closed and customers were told to stop shopping and return home.
Her husband, who was outside in the parking lot, said: “The security guards dragged them out. They started arguing about four of them all together.
“One of them was yelling the word n and I think that’s why he was getting more nervous, after he pulled a machete out of his buttocks.
“He took a hit and he cut the other guy, he took a hit and he caught one of them and they all ran into the store.
“He came back and the guy and his friend came over and they were yelling the n-word, and then he ran towards them and they all ran inside. They looked like young men, not teenagers, maybe in their 20s. They were not wearing masks.
“Both were already with their companions and both left, the police arrived after five minutes. They wouldn’t let anyone in and, as people were coming out, they were told to step on it because there was blood there.”
A GMP spokesperson said: “Greater Manchester Police were called to Milne Street in Chadderton at around 6pm last night (Friday 24th February 2023) to receive reports of a stabbing. It is believed that the injuries sustained do not put the danger life.”
“Investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time.
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