THIS is a picture of the men police believe gunned down teenager Jessie James. The two hooded, bike-riding figures were caught on CCTV near the Moss Side park where the 15-year-old died, just minutes before the fatal shooting. Det Supt Tony Cook said: "We believe this is footage of the killers." The investigation into the death of Jessie, who was killed in a hail of bullets in Broadfield Park in the early hours of September 9, got a major boost last night after a reconstruction was shown on the BBC's Crimewatch. The picture prompted an immediate response with someone phoning in with the name of a suspect.
The programme showed how Jessie had pestered his mother Barbara Reid to let him go out with his friends on the night he died. The teenager and his pals had tried to get into a function at the West Indian Social Club, but were turned away.
The boys rode off on their bikes along Raby Street and into the park. As they approached the Powerhouse youth centre, they heard gunshots and fled.
Line of fire
Jessie, who was at the back of the group, unwittingly headed into the line of fire. He was hit three times. The Crimewatch programme featured a harrowing 999-call by one of Jessie's friends, who was heard to say: "He's been shot! He's dead, man!"
Det Supt Cook confirmed that the police had received information about a particular suspect but stressed that more evidence was needed from the Moss Side community. He said: "We have been given one name consistently. We need information, not just rumours and gossip on the street."
Mrs Reid, interviewed for Crimewatch, told how she had urged Jessie not to leave the house on the night he died. She said she relented because he told her all his friends' parents had let them go out.
"I can't celebrate Christmas now," she said. "If I could have one Christmas present it would be to have Jessie back again."
