A bungling would-be assassin ‘tripped’ as he jumped out of a car to shoot at three men.
The bullet hit a pub window and the attacker then chased two of his targets down the road opening fire as they fled.
Detectives say nobody was injured during the Friday night shooting - which is being treated as a targeted attack.
The gunman opened fire outside the Hare and Hounds pub, in Ashton-under-lyne, at around 8.30pm on Friday night (September 27).
Three men were standing outside the pub, on Kings Road, when a blue Audi pulled up outside, police say.
A man armed with a handgun got out of the passenger side of the car and fired a single shot towards the group.
However the M.E.N. understands that the shooter tripped just moments before discharging his firearm.
The bullet entered the pub through a window.
One man ran inside the pub and the other two fled from the scene.
At which point the gunman pursued the fleeing men down the road and further shots were fired at the junction of Rowley Street and Kings Road.
The gunman then got back in the Audi, which was being driven by a second offender.
The pair then drove off in the direction of Rowley Street.
Nobody was injured during the incident - which happened in the Hurst Cross area of the town at around 8.30pm.
Detectives have launched an investigation into the targeted attack,
A scene remains in place outside the pub while further enquiries are carried out.
Inspector Zoe MacDonald, of Greater Manchester Police’s Tameside District, has appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“This was a shocking incident and it’s only by sheer good fortune that no-one was injured,” she said.
“We are treating this as a targeted attack and we do not believe there is any threat to the wider community.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who has information that can assist our enquiries.
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“This incident happened on a busy road and we’re confident that drivers in the area may have captured dash-cam footage of the incident taking place, or of the Audi shortly before or after the incident.
“If you were in the area at the time, I’d ask that you review your footage and contact the police if you can help.”
Armed police raced to the scene on Friday night and the road was closed while police carried out investigations at the scene.
One neighbour described hearing loud bangs that he soon realised was gunfire as he watched television.
He told the M.E.N: “I didn't witness it. I heard shots but assumed it was just a supercar backfiring.
“Then I heard loads of sirens. When went out to look, the police were just taping off the scene.
“I was told by a witness a car pulled up, a man got out the passenger side with a gun, tripped over the curb and multiple shots were fired at someone stood outside the pub having a cigarette.
“He then got back in the car and the car sped off. More armed police arrived shortly afterwards.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 0161 856 9353 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
