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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Ellen Kirwin

Flowers and teddies left for 'Sassy Queen' Olivia Pratt-Korbel

Tributes have been left at the scene close to where Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot dead.

A large police cordon remains in place on Kingsheath Avenue, in Dovecot, where the nine-year-old schoolgirl was shot as she hid behind her mother, who had opened the door after hearing a commotion. Pupils of St Margaret Mary's, the school Olivia attended, have visited the scene to put down teddies and flowers.

Family members have also placed down tributes. A handwritten note on one of the bouquets of flowers reads: "RIP baby girl , can't believe what has happened, feels like a nightmare. We will miss you so much our sassy queen. Love aunty Kim and uncle Tony."

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Another reads: "Our Liv, our brown eyed sassy pants. I will never find the words to describe the heartache we have all felt. I'll miss your outgoing, sassy little self and all the joy, laughs, smiles, love you brought to our lives. Love you forever and always."

Another message on a bunch of flowers said: "You had so much potential. We will always miss you in class, nobody can replace you." The residents of Fincham Road left a tribute which read: "Fly high little girl, rest in peace."

Olivia was shot when a gunman chased another man into her home in Liverpool and opened fire "with complete disregard" for anyone else in the property. Merseyside Police yesterday said her family were "absolutely devastated, inconsolable and heartbroken."

Speaking at a press conference at the force's headquarters in Liverpool on Tuesday, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy appealed for anyone with information to come forward, adding: "This is not the time for anyone who knows who's responsible for this shooting to remain tight-lipped."

Olivia was found with a gunshot injury to her chest when officers attended the scene at around 10pm on Monday, and was taken in a critical condition to hospital, where she died. Ms Kennedy said police believe a 35-year-old man was being chased in the area by a gunman who was firing at him.

She said: "The man being chased forced his way into Olivia's house and the offender ran in after him, firing a number of shots with complete disregard for Olivia and her family, who had no connection with the gunman or the man who forced his way in.

"Sadly, Olivia was fatally wounded when the gunman fired at the man who was trying to get into the house, and her mum also suffered a gunshot to her wrist.

"The 35-year-old man who had been chased suffered a number of gunshots to his upper body. Whilst Olivia lay dying, he was picked up by his friends, who took him to hospital."

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