A second man has been arrested by armed police on suspicion of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool. The 33-year-old, from Dovecot, was also arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder.
He was arrested by armed officers on Lunsford Road in Huyton, Liverpool, on Friday afternoon. Merseyside police said the man has been taken to a police station where he will be questioned by detectives.
A police spokesperson said: “The investigation into Olivia’s tragic murder is ongoing and we still need to build up a strong evidential picture so that we can bring those responsible to justice.
“Anyone with information is asked to DM MerPolCC or contact CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.”
On Thursday night police arrested a 36-year-old man they suspect of being the gunman who shot Olivia. She was shot on Monday night by a masked gunman who burst into her family home while chasing another man in the Dovecot area of Liverpool.
An earlier police statement said: “A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. The man, who is from the Huyton area, was also arrested on two counts of attempted murder.
“The arrest came after an operation involving armed officers in the Merseyside area last night, Thursday 25 August. The man is currently in custody, where he is being questioned by detectives.”
Huyton is adjacent to Dovecot, where Olivia was killed.
Olivia was shot dead after a stranger, 35-year-old Joseph Nee, burst into her home while fleeing a gunman.
Olivia’s mother, Cheryl, sustained a gunshot wound to the wrist while trying to stop the gunman from entering. Nee was shot in the leg and torso. Both adults survived the attack, which police said crossed “every boundary”.
Police have released a picture of the Audi Q3 that is believed to have taken Nee to Aintree hospital after he was picked up by a driver and another passenger. They are keen to speak to anyone who saw this car in the days leading up to the shooting or has any information about its movements after it left Kingsheath Avenue on the night.
The car is being forensically examined after being seized at the hospital, and the driver and passenger have been questioned by police.
Speaking before the second arrest was made, Det Supt Mark Baker said: “Although we have made an arrest in connection with the horrific murder of Olivia, I want to make it completely clear that we need any information about this vehicle or the wider investigation as much as ever. Whatever information you have, and whether you are sure that it is the same vehicle or not, pass it on and we will assess its importance.”
Merseyside police said they were grateful for the levels of information coming in from the public, which had led to “a number of very positive lines of inquiry”.
After appeals for the gunman to hand himself into police were ignored, Mark Kameen, the head of investigations, addressed the killer in a press conference on Thursday morning. “We will not rest until we find you. And we will find you,” he said.
Paying tribute to Olivia, her family issued a statement urging anyone with information to contact the police and thanking the emergency services who tried to save her life.
The family said: “Liv was a unique, chatty, nosy little girl who broke the mould when she was born. She loved life and all it had to offer. Liv loved dressing up and was very particular on how she was dressed. Like any other little girl, she loved doing her makeup and nails – she was nine going on 19.
“Liv was adored by everyone who knew her and would instantly make friends with anyone and everyone. She was often seen going up and down the street on her new bike she had just got for her birthday.
“Although her life was short, her personality certainly wasn’t, and she lived it to the most she could, and would blow people away with her wit and kindness. We as a family are heartbroken and have lost a huge part of our life.”
Serena Kennedy, the chief constable of Merseyside police, had appealed to members of the public to help identify Olivia’s killer. She described it as “a shocking and appalling attack which will reverberate around our communities”.
Extra officers, including detectives, were brought in from other forces in north-west England to help with the investigation.
On Friday morning, shortly before the news of the first arrest, the former Liverpool footballer Ian Rush and ex-Everton player Ian Snodin left flowers in Kingsheath Avenue on behalf of the Merseyside clubs.
On the flowers from Everton FC, a message read: “RIP Olivia. No words will lessen the pain or explain such a tragedy. Our city stands united. Forever in our thoughts.” A card on the floral tribute from Liverpool FC said: “Rest in peace, Olivia, with deepest sympathy from all of us at Liverpool Football Club. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Olivia’s killing was the third shooting death in Liverpool in the space of a week.
Police have arrested the suspected killer of Ashley Dale, a 28-year-old council worker shot outside her home in Old Swan on Sunday, in what was thought to be a case of mistaken identity.
Three men were also arrested in a separate case on suspicion of murdering 22-year-old Sam Rimmer, who was shot dead in the Dingle area on 16 August. They have been released on bail.
