Police have arrested a teenager in connection with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. The 18-year-old man, from West Derby, was detained by officers on suspicion of assisting an offender.
He is the eighth person to be arrested in the ongoing murder investigation after the schoolgirl was shot dead in her own home in Dovecoat. A 29-year-old male was arrested yesterday (September 8) on suspicion of assisting an offender and is currently being held in police custody to await questioning, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Four other suspects connected to the shooting were previously conditionally bailed by Merseyside police. Detectives were given a rare extension to question three men arrested in connection with the crime, however they have since been released due to a lack of evidence.
One of the people bailed, includes a 34-year-old man, from Runcorn, arrested on suspicion of murdering the child. The others released include a 34-year-old man, from Liverpool, a 41-year-old man, from Knowsley, and a 29-year-old man, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and questioned by police.
The investigation into Olivia's tragic murder is ongoing and police said they still need to build up a strong evidential picture so they can bring those responsible to justice. A spokesperson for the force said: "We have arrested an 18 year-old man in connection with the murder of nine year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
"The man, who is from the West Derby, area was arrested last night (Thursday September 8) on suspicion of assisting an offender. He is the 10th person to be arrested in connection with the case.
"He is currently in custody where he will be questioned by detectives. A 29 year-old man arrested in connection with the investigation yesterday remains in custody.
"The investigation into Olivia’s murder remains ongoing and we continue to appeal for people with information to come forward to assist us in bringing those responsible to justice. Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
"If you have any CCTV/dashcam/smart doorbell footage that could help our inquiries they can be downloaded on the dedicated public portal for Olivia's murder, which will go straight through to the investigation team. Footage can be submitted via the Public Portal ( mipp.police.uk )"
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