Four gunshots were heard by neighbours after a mystery gunman burst into a Dovecot home and killed a nine-year-old girl.
Merseyside Police cordoned off a large area of Kingsheath Road on Monday, August 22 after reports that an unknown male had fired a gun inside a house on the road at around 10pm. In the early hours of Tuesday morning Merseyside Police confirmed that a schoolgirl had died after being shot in the chest.
Officers also told the ECHO that a man also suffered gunshot wounds to his body and a woman suffered a gunshot injury to her hand during the incident. The cordon spanned from the junction of Ruscombe Road and Kingsheath Avenue up to the point where it meets Finch Road. The fatal shooting happened just metres from Blueberry Park Primary School.
LIVE UPDATES: Schoolgirl shot dead and two others injured
Neighbours outside of the cordon were visibly shaken by the events of the night, with police remaining visible at the scene into the morning. One neighbour described the incident as "disgusting" on what was a disturbing night in Dovecot.
A temporary hub for police officers was set up at Dovecot Labour Club on the corner of Kingsheath Avenue and Finch Road, with forensic officers entering the cordon at the junction of Ruscombe Road. Police swarmed the area for evidence for a number of hours, with armed police remaining at Alder Hey after the girl was rushed to the children's hospital with a gunshot wound to her chest before sadly dying.
Another neighbour told the ECHO how his family had heard four gunshots in the area before police arrived at the scene. It is believed the girl was rushed to hospital by police.
The events that unfolded came just one day after the murder of Ashley Dale, a 28-year-old council worker, who was shot dead in Leinster Road, Old Swan in the early hours of Sunday, August 21.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which tragically a young and innocent girl has been shot and sadly died.
"Our thoughts and condolences go to her family and friends at this very difficult time. No parent should ever have to suffer the loss of a child in these dreadful circumstances.
“This crime is abhorrent and our communities must come forward and tell us who is responsible.
“This cowardly individual does not deserve to be walking the streets and I would urge those who know anything to speak to us and tell us what they know so that we can put the person responsible behind bars where they belong.
“We are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry as a matter of urgency and would ask for dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage from anyone who lives, works or was visiting the area of Kingsheath Avenue last night.”
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or call @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1083 of 22 nd August.
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