A schoolgirl who died after being shot in Liverpool has been named as Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Speaking at a press conference, Merseyside police confirmed Olivia was the victim of the Dovecot shooting, which has been described as an "appalling act of evil."
The nine-year-old was shot in the chest at around 10pm on Monday, August 22, and was rushed to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in a critical condition where she died a short time later. A man also suffered gunshot wounds to his body and a woman was shot in the hand during the incident in the house, on Kingsheath Avenue.
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The two other victims have been taken to hospital for treatment, according to detectives. The force is now carrying out house-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries, while a cordon is in place.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy and Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, Head of Investigations, spoke at a press conference this lunchtime where Olivia's name was confirmed. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: "At 10pm last night, our officers were called to Olivia's home on Kingsheath Avenue and when we arrived we found three people had been injured, including Olivia and her mum.
"It is believed that one of the injured parties, a 35-year-old man, was being chased by a man armed with a gun who was firing at him.
"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."
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."
Last night, two men were arrested after a woman in her 50s was stabbed to death on Cherryfield Drive, Kirkby. In a separate incident, 28-year-old Knowsley Council worker Ashley Dale died after being shot in the Old Swan area of Liverpool in the early hours of Sunday.
Police are also still searching for two suspects after Sam Rimmer was shot dead in Dingle, on August 16. Mayor Joanne Anderson has urged anyone with information to come forward.
She said: "15 years to the day that Rhys Jones was murdered, another innocent child of our city becomes a victim to gun crime. Has nothing been learned? Enough is enough. This is an appalling act of evil. If you know something, you must come forward. Guns have no place in our communities."
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