Children reportedly left a "christening" in "distress" after a man was shot in the leg at a pub car park.
Police received a report at 4.20pm today to a report a man had been shot in the leg by another man at the car park of The Golden Lion on Church Road in Rainford. A number of people told the ECHO at the time of the incident a christening was taking place at the pub.
A cricket match was also being held at the cricket club behind the venue. One person told the ECHO the match was stopped so the air ambulance could land nearby.
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He said: "There were about 500 people at the cricket match, lots of family and children and I believe there was a christening going on at the pub. We all heard this really loud bang from the direction of the pub and everyone there turned round and then there was a large police presence.
"The cricket match was stopped for about half an hour so that the air ambulance could land and people were stopped from leaving the club for about an hour."
The man added he saw "a couple of children leaving the pub in distress" and said: "Thankfully, the umpires and organisers at the cricket club kept everyone very calm as it could have been very easy for people to over react in these kinds of circumstances, but they were all so calm."
Another person also told the ECHO he saw "a kid with her dad in absolute distress". The front of The Golden Lion pub and around the back was cordoned off by police. Forensics were also carrying out enquiries.
A staff member at The Cottage Tandoori, which is opposite the pub, said he was told people heard "two gunshots". Police also believe the shooting was "targeted."
Emergency services attended and the victim was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening at this stage. An investigation has been launched including CCTV, forensic and witness enquiries.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information is asked to contact police. Chief Inspector Phil Cowin said: “We are in the extremely early stages of our investigation and are working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances of a shooting at the Golden Lion pub this afternoon which has left a man injured.
“We believe that this was a targeted attack and there is no wider threat to the community in Rainford following this incident. Nonetheless, we know that witnessing a shooting in a pub in broad daylight would have been incredibly shocking.
"I want to reassure people that detectives are working round-the-clock to find the person responsible and bring them to justice. Shootings such as this in Rainford, thankfully, remain rare and the number of shootings on Merseyside is at its lowest for 21 years.
"However, one reckless incident like this is one too many, and I’d appeal to anyone with any information to come forward as soon as possible. If you were in the Rainford area around 4pm this afternoon and witnessed anything or anyone suspicious then please let us know.
"Similarly, if you were driving along Church Road and have dashcam footage, please review it and tell us if you see anything. At this early stage of our investigation, all information you hold could be vital to our investigation.
"Whether you speak to our officers at the scene, or get in touch anonymously though Crimestoppers, please contact us and help us keep our communities safe. There is no room for guns and the fear and harm that they bring on the streets of Merseyside and we will do everything within our power to ensure the person responsible is put before the courts.”
If you witnessed this incident or have any information, please direct message @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 with log 754 of Sunday, July 31.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, you can report via their online form here.
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