Pub-goers tried desperately to give CPR to a woman who died after being shot in the head outside a packed pub on Merseyside on Christmas Eve, it's been revealed.
Police launched a murder investigation that was continuing on Boxing Day after the 26-year-old was shot dead at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village. Police said the woman who was killed was on a night out with friends at the time celebrating Christmas and is not thought to have been the target of the attack.
Emergency services were called to the Lighthouse in Wallasey Village shortly before midnight, with one neighbour saying they had assumed the gunshots were celebratory fireworks for the festive season. Four men were hurt in the incident, with one in a critical condition and the other three not believed to have life-threatening injuries, police confirmed.
Detectives said they believe the gunman fired shots towards the front entrance of the pub and that minutes later a dark-coloured vehicle 'possibly an A class Mercedes' was seen leaving the car park. The horrific events of Christmas Eve have sent shockwaves through Wallasey, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Hundreds of local people have commented on a post on the Wallasey Gossip Facebook group, sending their tributes to the woman who was killed and describing their fear as the news came through. A number of parents said their children had been at the Lighthouse at the time of the shooting and one was trying to give CPR to the shooting victim.
One said: "My daughter and her friend were in the pub (it was packed) and both are traumatised. Thoughts are with families involved. So horrendous."
Another parent said: "My daughter was there, she and her friends got home safe but is very distressed. She was stood right by the girl who was killed. So scary."
Another worried mum added: "Utterly heart-breaking, what is going on? My daughter was in there last night, I've just ran to her room to check she was in bed safe. Thoughts with all the families, thinking of everyone affected."
One parent said their daughter tried to help one of the shooting victims. She said: "This is just so tragic. My daughter was there giving CPR with another girl until help arrived. My heart goes out to the families." Others described the young woman as a "hero" and a "brave, selfless young lady" for her efforts on the night.
Another parent posting in the group said they had "never had such a phone call in their life" as they phoned to make sure their son was ok, adding: "God bless her parents! Gobsmacked this has happened in our town, I don’t think I will ever recover from that panic."
There is a great deal of anger in the community at those who brought death and horror to the village on Christmas Eve. One local resident said: "We as a community need to help the police get guns off our streets for good. There is absolutely no need for guns.
"I’m thinking of the lives it’s destroyed just a few hours ago and who’s lives have been altered forever just by witnessing this mindless incident. The psychological damage to people who were there will be horrific - especially those who helped to save the victims."
Sharing a Merseyside Police appeal for information about the shooting, Wirral's council leader Jan Williamson said: "Please help us. A young woman was brutally murdered last night. I can't begin to comprehend what her family are going through. Do the right thing."
Speaking about the tragic events, Detective Superintendent Dave McCaughrean said: “We understand that this is a truly shocking and devastating incident that has happened just before Christmas Day in a busy venue full of young people. We have a number of officers at Wallasey Village who are carrying out extensive enquiries to understand exactly what has taken place and take immediate action.
"A woman has tragically lost her life at Christmas whilst several people are being treated in hospital and our thoughts and condolences are with the victim’s family. I would ask anyone who was in the Lighthouse in Wallasey Village last night who witnessed the incident or has mobile or CCTV footage of what happened to contact us as a matter of urgency as they may have information which is vital to our investigation.
"We believe that the gunman left the pub car park in a dark coloured vehicle – possibly a dark coloured Mercedes shortly after the shooting and we are keen to hear from anyone who saw this to contact us immediately."
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