The hunt for gunmen who blasted a dad took a new twist today, the fourth anniversary of his death, with the release of CCTV pictures of his suspected killers.
The day Adam Chadwick was shot – Tuesday, June 24, 2008 – the gifted footballer had returned from exams in London and was visiting his sister Gemma in Clifton Mount, Harehills, Leeds.
Earlier an unidentified woman had knocked at doors asking for a Michelle. At 10.40pm the woman knocked again, making the same inquiry.
When boyfriend Jay answered three masked men in camouflage clothing barged through the doorway. Adam leapt to help Jay keep them out and during the struggle a converted Russian-built handgun held by one of the men went off and its 9mm bullet hit Adam.
The men and mystery woman fled in a blue Ford Focus C-Max, registration YH54 SBV, which had been hijacked from a woman near Oatlands Heights, Little London, Leeds, on June 11. The car was abandoned off Reginald Street, Chapeltown, after an attempt to set it alight.
Adam fought for life at Leeds General Infirmary but he died on June 26.
Other CCTV images show the C-Max being stolen, the mystery woman caller fleeing after the shooting, the car about to be dumped and the three men fleeing nearby.
The C-Max was filmed on June 20 at the BP filling station, Roundhay Road, Chapeltown, Leeds, having a tyre inflated.
Between then and the shooting the car’s spacesaver spare wheel was fitted.
The unidentified woman who had sought Michelle is described as white, aged in her late 20s, about 5ft 5in tall with dark brown hair, olive skin and dark eyes. She was wearing a baggy fleeced or cardigan over a round neck black top.
Ballistic tests identifed the weapon type, but the gun was never recovered.
Adam’s father Martin said “This week has been terrible for me and Jackie. She can not sleep and I have permanent butterflies.
“We are reliving those days when after being told Adam would not survive all we could do was wait for him to die.
“We so much need some closure. I beg anyone who can help catch Adam’s killers to do so now.”
Det Supt Mark Ridley said: “There were a number of people involved in this murder and discussions will have taken place about those involved.
“I ask people that if they can help ring us on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Adam’s murder also robbed his young daughter Ruby of her father.
Adam is remembered through the Adam Chadwick Fund for Sport and the Armley Junior Project 4 Young People.
Today the third Adam Chadwick Memorial Football Tournament will be staged at Whingate Primary School and on Saturday there will be a night walk around Eccup Reservoir to funds sporting activities.