An alleged drug dealer has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Ashley Dale.
Miss Dale, 28, was at home in Leinster Road, Old Swan, when a gunman burst through her door and fired multiple shots "indiscriminately" at around 12.40am on August 21. She was shot in the abdomen and collapsed in the rear yard of the property, where she was spotted by a neighbour.
The Knowsley Council environmental health officer, considered a "rising star" by her colleagues, was beyond help when officers arrived. Today, Merseyside Police said a 22-year-old man from Liverpool City Centre was arrested yesterday evening on suspicion of assisting an offender and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
READ MORE: Balaclava thugs bricked dad's car and called him a paedophile
The man was taken to a police station for questioning and remains in custody. The arrest comes a few days after the force released CCTV footage of a car believed to have been driven in the area where Miss Dale was killed shortly before the shooting.
The vehicle, a dark grey Hyundai i30 N, was recorded driving in the Page Moss area a few hours before the shooting but has not yet been recovered by police. Speaking last week, Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings said: “We now believe that this Hyundai i30 N car was driven in the areas of Dovecot and Page Moss during the evening of Ashley’s murder, including on Pilch Lane.
"As we look to gather all available evidence, I want to continue to appeal to anyone who lives in these areas and may have any information about this car. This might range from knowing who was driving, seeing someone being picked up, or capturing further images or footage on CCTV, dashcam or doorbell devices. We also need to know where the car is now.
"Please don’t assume that what you know or have captured is not important, or that someone else has already told us. A minor detail could have major significance and we will review everything that comes in and make that assessment, and it all forms part of detectives building up an evidential picture, something that can of course take time.
"If you haven’t already come forward, please submit any information you have directly with our investigation team through our online portal: Public Portal ( mipp.police.uk ). This will make sure that your information is received and acted on as quickly as possible by detectives.
"Please come forward with anything you know to help us bring those responsible before the courts and get justice for Ashley’s family.”
Anyone with any information can also contact us via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000615873.
READ NEXT:
Seven Rangers fans arrested after Liverpool FC Champions League match
Dad arrested 'for murder' after bid to save tragic Adelphi woman 'would do it again'
DWP announces changes to PIP decision making process for claimants
Dealer selling from mobility scooter told police 'I'm not pulling over lad'
Tesco, Asda and Aldi forced to bring in huge ban for shoppers
