Neighbours took refuge upstairs after hearing 'gunshots and screams' as a man was shot in the leg.
Residents reported hearing 'two shots separated by a scream' as the assailant opened fire on his victim in Orrets Meadow Road on the Woodchurch Estate, Wirral last night.
The victim of the shooting was then seen being "dragged" through people's gardens by a second man in search of safety. Police were called to the scene just after 8pm on Saturday night (December 3), after reports a man had been shot.
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The man, believed to be in his 20s, was shot in the leg as he stood in the street. Witnesses said his assailant then fled the scene on a "moped," shortly before police arrived.
One witness, who lives nearby, said "it was over in seconds."
They told the ECHO: "We heard two shots, separated by a scream, before an engine revved and the shooter took off. We kept clear of the windows, turned off the lights and took refuge upstairs.
"Someone banged on the door, which we ignored. I went outside and saw the victim and his friend sitting in one of my neighbour's gardens. The victim was putting pressure on his leg.
"His friend had dragged him through our garden and into our neighbours, hitting doors to try and get attention or refuge. The police arrived about a minute later. They stabilised him and took him off in an ambulance half an hour later, and taped the road off."
Police confirmed the man is still in hospital, in a serious but stable condition - his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
An investigation is now underway and officers are conducting CCTV and forensic enquiries and going door-to-door in the local area.
Merseyside Police's chief inspector Colin Dyer said: “The investigation is in the very early stages as we seek to establish what has taken place.
“The man is believed to have been in the street when the incident occurred and we would appeal for anyone who was in the area of Orrets Meadow Road or Hoole Road this evening who saw or heard anything suspicious to contact us as a matter of urgency.
“This type of reckless behaviour will not be tolerated on our streets and we will do everything we can to locate the person or people responsible and bring them to justice.
“I would encourage anyone who lives in the area or was visiting to check their doorbell or dashcam or mobile phone to see if they captured anything significant.”
Anyone who has information or knows who is carrying or storing weapons in their neighbourhood is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting log 824 of December 3.
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