A 21-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mohammed Hasan, who died after being shot in the head in Bradford.
Hasnain Akhter, of Tichborne Road, West Bowling, appeared before Leeds Crown Court via video link from HMP Leeds, where he is being held on remand.
Akhter is charged with the murder of 28-year-old Mohammed Hasan following a shooting in West Bowling last month.
Mr Hasan suffered a gunshot wound to the head on Gaythorne Road, at its junction with Parsonage Road, on the evening of 8 July.
He was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died 11 days later, on 19 July.
During a brief appearance before the court, Akhter spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before entering a plea of not guilty to murder.
His Honour Judge Tom Bayliss KC scheduled a 15-day trial to begin on 18 January next year and extended the custody time limit to 22 January.
“Your trial will take place on January 18; you having pleaded not guilty,” the judge told Akhter.
“You will be remanded in custody.”
Police Manhunt For Second Bradford Man
West Yorkshire Police are continuing to search for another man wanted in connection with the investigation.
Officers are seeking 24-year-old Luqman Khan, from Bradford.
Police believe Khan travelled from West Yorkshire to Suffolk and was thought to have been in the Ipswich or Felixstowe areas.
Detectives have previously appealed directly to members of the public for information that could establish his whereabouts.
Including Akhter, nine people have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
Four were initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and five on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Eight of those arrested were subsequently released on conditional bail while inquiries continued.
The investigation became a murder inquiry following Mr Hasan’s death on 19 July.
Family Pay Tribute To Mohammed Hasan
Mr Hasan’s family described him as a devoted family man who was widely known within his community.
“Hasan was a loving husband, father, son and brother,” the family said.
“He would go out of his way to help other people. He was the life and soul of every room he’d walk into.”
They said his death would be felt beyond his immediate family.
“He will be missed by all his family and the community.”
His relatives also appealed for people with information about the shooting to assist detectives.
“Life is often overlooked and communities need to come together to make sure nothing like this happens again,” they said.
“The family urge anyone who has any information to provide this to West Yorkshire Police.”
Police Appeal For Information
Detective Chief Inspector Dan Bates, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said detectives remained determined to establish the full circumstances surrounding Mr Hasan’s death.
“Sadly, Mohammed Hasan was left with unsurvivable injuries from this horrific act of violence,” Bates said.
“We are determined to get justice for him and his family and need people to put aside any misplaced loyalties and think about how they would feel if it was their husband, their son, their brother.”
The senior investigating officer thanked people who had already provided information but said detectives continued to need the public’s assistance.
“I would like to personally thank those who have already come forward with information,” Bates said.
“We continue to urge anyone who has information about Luqman Khan’s whereabouts or who has any other information about what has taken place and those involved to please report it.”
Akhter remains in custody ahead of his trial at Leeds Crown Court, which is scheduled to begin on 18 January.