Tiny Olivia Pratt-Korbel was killed in a bungled "tit-for-tat" killing by "scum" gangsters, following another drive-by shooting earlier this month, neighbours have claimed.
The schoolgirl, nine, was shot dead in her own home on Monday night when her mum unwittingly opened the front door to a gun chase.
Her mum, Cheryl, 46, was shot in the wrist as she tried to force the door shut from the gunman, while Olivia, who was standing directly behind her, was shot in the chest.
Now neighbours on Kingsheath Avenue in Liverpool - where the tragedy unfolded - claimed the gunman and the man he was chasing are known criminals.
They said the same people were involved in a drive-by shooting when a man on an e-scooter was gunned down in nearby Akers Hall Park three weeks ago.
One local told MailOnline: "They were just innocent people - that's what makes it 10 times worse. They were quiet, respectable people. Knowing someone has been shot just because she opened the door. It's not right.
"It was the same people involved in the shooting a few weeks ago in Akers Hall park. We know it was. It is two rival gangs chasing after each other."
While a woman in her 50s told The Telegraph: "It was the same people involved in the shooting the other week, the same car involved. It is just tit-for-tat. Pointless."
The tragic events unfolded on the 15th anniversary of the death of Rhys Jones, who was shot dead aged 16, as he was caught in the crossfire of rival gangs in Croxteth, Liverpool.
Police arrived at the scene on Monday, August 22, at around 10pm but little Olivia died as a result of her injuries after she was rushed to hospital with her mum.
Terrified residents described hearing her mum “screaming for help” as the attacker fled the scene on foot.
A resident said: “You could hear it all. Her mum was screaming for help, she came running out into the street and she was banging on the car begging people to help her.
“But no one could do anything, everyone was too scared to come out of their houses.
“I’ve known the little girl since she was a baby. She was the brightest, loveliest girl.
“She was an old head on young shoulders and she was absolutely tiny.
“She was born premature and she didn’t look like a nine-year-old.
“They’re just a nice normal family, I can’t believe it.
“There were kids sat sobbing their hearts out on the street after it happened.
“I’m scared to let my kids out, the gun crime around here is just getting worse and worse.”
A 35-year-old man who burst into their home as he tried to flee from the gunman was shot in the upper body but was picked up and taken to hospital by his pals in a dark Audi.
Cops said they had seized the vehicle but the shooter, who was described as 5ft7in tall and wearing a black balaclava, remains at large.
Detectives have now appealed to these gangs to do the right thing and give up vital information which will allow them to catch Olivia's killer.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “This is not the time for anyone who knows who’s responsible for this shooting to remain tight-lipped.
She added: “The killing of a nine-year-old child is an absolute tragedy and crosses every single boundary, and I would urge them to do the right thing so we can put this person behind bars.”
At a press conference at Merseyside Police HQ on Tuesday, the force detailed how the brutal killing had unfolded.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said: "From the review of some CCTV that we have acquired so far, we know that this person shot at the two men who were walking down Kingsheath Avenue.
"Both men responded by running away from that person with a firearm.
“Responding to the sounds of those gunshots, Olivia’s mum Cheryl appears to have opened the door to her property in order to see what was going on outside.
“One of the men... the 35-year-old man, appears to have seen the door opening and run towards the opening of that door.
“He has then forced his way into the property despite the very best efforts of Cheryl and has made his way inside.
“As that was taking place the person with the gun has followed the male to this property.
"That person has also tried to force entry to the property and has managed, it would appear, to put their hand through the open door as Cheryl continued to try and close it.
“A shot has been fired which we believe has hit Cheryl, injuring her and then fatally wounding Olivia. Olivia at that time, we believe, was stood directly behind Cheryl.”
