Wanted man arrested in Portugal over fatal shooting in Ashton-under-Lyne

31 year old Luke Graham was shot dead in broad daylight in June 2018

Author: Nathan MarshPublished 4th May 2022
Last updated 4th May 2022

A Manchester man wanted in connection with a murder and an attempted murder in Tameside nearly four years ago has been arrested by authorities in Portugal.

27 year old Callum Halpin was detained by officers from the National Crime Agency on Monday evening (2nd May) and is soon expected to be extradited back to the UK.

Halpin had been on the NCA "Most Wanted" list after the shooting of Luke Graham, 31, in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, in June 2018.

Mr Graham, nicknamed "Tank", was ambushed and shot in broad daylight on a residential street as children played nearby.

A second man was also shot but fled the scene.

Wade Cox, 29, was jailed for life with a minimum of 36 years for the murder, a result of a drug-dealing turf war.

Four others were also jailed.

Luke's family has been kept updated with this latest development, and our specially-trained officers will continue to support them.

Detective Inspector Lee Barrow, of Greater Manchester Police, said:

“News of Callum Halpin’s arrest is an important development in our investigation and we will work closely with the NCA and other relevant international agencies to bring him back to Greater Manchester and continue our pursuit of justice for Luke's family.

"Halpin has been on the run since Luke was fatally shot on that tragic day nearly four years ago and it has been our intention ever since to ensure all those suspected of being responsible for his death are caught and prosecuted.

“I want to thank partners from the National Crime Agency for their work in arresting Halpin and I know this will send a strong message to fugitives - and also the public - that we are totally committed to working with law enforcement agencies across the world to ensure those wanted are caught wherever they try to hide, and ultimately face the serious charges they are accused of."

Steve Reynolds, National Crime Agency regional manager in Spain, said:

“Callum Halpin’s arrest was made possible after some superb partnership work between the NCA and our Portuguese counterparts to whom we are extremely grateful.

“Halpin’s arrest comes only forty-eight hours after another fugitive was arrested in Portugal.

“These arrests should serve as a warning to other fugitives and most wanted subjects that we will not stop until they are captured.”

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