A 15-year-old boy has been killed after a car crashed into an e-bike on a quiet residential street.
Devon Simmonds was pronounced dead at the scene after the collision in Middleton, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday at around 11.55am.
Police have since been called to numerous reports of ‘disorder’ on the Langley estate in the days after, where ‘hundreds’ of people have gathered to pay tribute to the teenager.
Fireworks were set off at a shopping precinct throughout the night, with residents claiming some were thrown at cars as firefighters attended the scene.
Terrence King, 59, was arrested following the incident and appeared today at Manchester Magistrates’ Court charged with Devon’s murder.
He stood in the dock dressed in a grey top and grey pants and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
King, of Middleton, was not required to enter a plea.
He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday.
Officers have also been investigating an alleged theft leading up to the collision and a 15-year-old arrested on suspicion of theft has since been bailed.
Detective Inspector Andrew Naismith, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: ‘This investigation is already moving at considerable pace and we have now secured a murder charge as part of our work.
‘There is still much to do, and our officers are carefully combing through all available evidence to build a picture of the events of that day.
‘I am aware of footage of the incident circulating online, and I would ask people to not share this footage due to ongoing proceedings, and out of respect for the boy’s family, who I would remind people are grieving at this time.’
Tributes have been left to Devon close to the scene, and youngsters have been gathering in the area to pay their respects.
Flowers, balloons and candles have been left in tribute to the teenager outside the shuttered shops on the precinct of the estate on Tuesday night.
One resident who knew of the teenager said: ‘He was a top, top lad. Lived on this estate all his life and a lot of people knew him.
‘He was very respectable, obviously it’s a horrible thing to happen to him and his family.’
While a tribute at the scene described him as the ‘biggest soul’.
Dozens of youths were still at the precinct on Wednesday afternoon, with some spraying graffiti onto the walls.
Pervaiz Iqbal, who works at a shop on the precinct, said that ‘hundreds’ of youths were gathered on the estate from around 6pm last night.
He told the Manchester Evening News that some people climbed on top of the precinct, but said that this was not uncommon.
His colleague said that fireworks were being set off throughout the night, as late as 11pm, and claimed some were thrown at cars.
However, another shopkeeper said that she was not aware of ‘trouble’, explaining that the youths had gathered for a ‘memorial’.
Mr Iqbal said: ‘A lot of people obviously, the customers are scared coming into the shop, especially old people.
‘They are very scared of coming into the shops because a lot of the boys, teenagers, are here and they did fireworks and stuff.’
Speaking on Wednesday, Chief Inspector Nicola Hopkinson, of Greater Manchester Police said: ‘What happened yesterday was a tragic event that saw a young boy lose their life and our thoughts remain with Devon’s family at this time.
‘Officers are aware of antisocial behaviour taking place in the local area following this incident. This will not be tolerated and is completely unacceptable.
‘We understand the emotions of the wider community and their need to grieve, but we will take action against anyone found to be involved in criminality.
‘As part of our investigation, officers will be on hand to deal with any queries members of the public have. Feel free to raise any issues and speak to them if you have any concerns.’