A heartbroken community has come together to pay tribute to a nine-year-old girl who was shot dead in her home in Liverpool on Monday.
Police believe Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot in the chest after a 35-year-old man, who was being chased by a man armed with a gun, forced his way into Olivia's house in the Dovecot area of the city after 10pm.
The offender ran in after him, firing a number of shots - one of which hit Olivia's mum Cheryl in the wrist before shooting the schoolgirl.
Read more: Girl, 9, shot dead in her home in Liverpool
The Liverpool Echo spoke to neighbours at the scene on Tuesday as local children consoled one another after what is being described as "an appalling act of evil".
One local man said: "They're a quiet family and Olivia was lovely - very pleasant, very polite, very kind. She would play out in the street with the other kids. It's heartbreaking, devastating. There are families around here that won't feel safe now."
A man and a woman told the ECHO they had heard the gunshots on Monday but thought they were fireworks.
They said: "The last few months have been bad around here. I can't even let the kids go to the shop. Everyone came out after the shots - police came from every direction. I can't believe the victim is a nine-year-old girl - I feel sick."
Floral tributes were laid near the scene of the incident, sending love and prayers to Olivia's family and friends.
One read: "Words cannot describe how this tragedy has turned this city upside down. Our thoughts and prayers are with Olivia's family at this sad time. Rest in Peace little one."
One, signed from Aunty Kim and Uncle Tony, read: "Olivia, R.I.P baby girl, can't believe what has happened. It is like a nightmare, we shall miss you so much our sassy queen".
At the scene, the ECHO also spoke to Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, who made a plea for anyone with information about the fatal shooting to come forward.
She said: “I think we all woke up this morning and were absolutely heartbroken to hear the news. Anything like this is always tragic, but particularly when you talk about an innocent nine-year-old girl. I think everybody is feeling today just how awful that is.
"My message to the community is to come forward if you know anything, there is a huge amount of proactive work being done by the Chief Constable and Merseyside Police. They are investigating this thoroughly - they’ve pulled in resources from other sources, but we are reliant on information from the community.
"Anything they can give us to help us identify who was around, who helped locate the weapon, who drove the car - anything to help us try to get those individuals would be really useful.”
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