This is the first picture of Olivia Pratt-Korbel who died after a gunman forced his way into her home chasing another man. The nine-year-old was shot as she stood behind her mother who was also injured in the incident.
Emergency services rushed her to Alder Hey Children's Hospital but she was unable to be saved. Her mother and another man have both been treated in hospital for gunshot injuries.
Tributes have flowed in for the youngster while flowers were left outside the Liverpool property, along with teddy bears and a balloon. One message on a bunch of flowers said: “You had so much potential. We will always miss you in class, nobody can replace you.”
The first bouquet was handed to police at the scene at about 3pm on Tuesday and laid at the edge of the cordon, reports the Liverpool Echo. This was quickly followed by others as people paid their respects to the youngster.
One tribute 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."
Another said: "A precious little angel taken too soon. God bless. Sleep tight Olivia." Another tribute said: "R.I.P Olivia feels like only yesterday you were in my garden laughing".
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".
Many of the flowers were placed by children Olivia's age or younger. Two children held hands as they added a bouquet to the growing number of tributes. People cried and many children consoled each other as they stood and looked at the messages.
Olivia died on Monday after the incident in which it is believed a man, wearing black clothes and a balaclava, opened fire on two men walking down Kingsheath Avenue where the youngster lived. The two men began to run before Olivia's mum, Cheryl, opened the door to see what had happened.
One of the men being chased then forced his way into the home before the gunman followed him and also attempted to force his way in. He then opened fire and shot Cheryl, with the same bullet also hitting Olivia in the chest.
Speaking after her death Rebecca Wilkinson, headteacher at St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School in Huyton, paid tribute to the "bubbly" little girl who she said would always try to help others. She said: “Our school community is devastated at the sad loss of Olivia. We are in shock and disbelief at such tragic news. Olivia was a much loved member of our school.
"She had a beautiful smile, a lovely sense of humour, and a bubbly personality. She was kind-hearted and would go out of her way to help others."
Police are continuing their hunt for the killer. Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell has 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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