Molly McCann has urged anyone with information about the killing of Olivia Pratt-Korbel to come forward and called for violence to stop after a "heartbreaking" week on Merseyside.
Olivia, 9, was fatally shot inside her home on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot on Monday (August 22). Merseyside Police believe Joseph Nee, 35, who was being chased by a man armed with a gun, forced his way into Olivia's house on Kingsheath Avenue at around 10pm.
The offender ran in after Nee, firing a number of shots - one of which hit Olivia's mum Cheryl in the wrist before fatally wounding Olivia. A dark-coloured Audi then appeared at the address and picked Nee up, leaving Cheryl and daughter Olivia behind.
READ MORE: Olivia Pratt-Korbel's best friend will miss her 'big sister' so much
Olivia was shot dead on the 15th anniversary of the killing of Rhys Jones, who was murdered as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth after being caught in the crossfire between two gangs - the Strand Gang and Croxteth Crew.
The killing of Olivia was the fourth fatal attack in Merseyside in a week. Sam Rimmer, 22, was shot dead in Dingle on August 16 and Ashley Dale, 28, was shot fatally in her own home in Old Swan on August 21. Karen Dempsey was stabbed in the chest on Cherryfield Drive in Kirkby on August 22. She died in hospital a short time after.
The UFC fighter, who goes by 'Meatball Molly' spoke to the ECHO on Wednesday (August 24) about the series of tragic incidents and about Weapons Down Gloves Up - a scheme that she is involved in which works to keep people away from weapons, provide opportunities for young people and eliminate crime and violence from our streets.
Molly said that the past week had left her heartbroken. She said: "My reaction is the same as everyone’s - complete disbelief. I’m gobsmacked, overwhelmed with emotion.
"I think every time I’ve had to read, listen or see anything online has been absolutely heartbreaking. I took it really personally.
"I feel like me, Tony (Bellew), Billy Moore and David Hughes, who work for Weapons Down Gloves Up, are trying our best to prevent things like this. It’s an absolute kick in the teeth because we try so hard to make sure that this kind of thing doesn’t happen.
"People in our city have paid the ultimate price of loss of life. It’s been possibly one of the worst weeks in the city’s history, it’s what it feels like.
"If there is anything that I can say to the families of the victims is that I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. I’m devastated that your family members have been taken away by absolute rats - it’s just disgusting."
Molly also sent a message to anyone who may know anything about Olivia's murder. The gunman is still at large and Merseyside Police are appealing for information.
She said: " There is something totally different about this. An innocent child has died - innocent people have died.
"If you know anything, you can anonymously tip, you don’t have to go into the station, you can go and buy a burner and ring off that, if you don’t want to ring from your number and have anyone know who you are. But just give any information that you have to bring the culprits in.
"This has absolutely shocked the city and we need justice, the city needs to feel safe again. You’re not being a grass, you’re doing the right thing. If it was me in that position, I would be doing the same thing."
Weapons Down Gloves Up aims to reduce violent crime by offering opportunities for young people - both in the gym and in the classroom. Molly told the ECHO that her work with the organisation is inspired by a wish to help wherever she can and give young people the best possible chance in life.
She said: "A few years ago, there were a couple of murders that really touched home and I thought what I could do and what I could use my platform for - how can I be a people better champion of my community and our city? It was to help wherever I can and Weapons Down Gloves Up is an initiative to get young people off the streets.
"It doesn’t have to be young people off the streets, it can be young people who are unemployed. It’s not aimed strictly at gang members or people who have been away and come out of prison or youth detention centres. It’s for anyone who’s struggling in life and needs a helping hand up.
"It’s an eight week programme, the first four weeks are spent in a gym, the second four weeks are in a classroom. We get the kids CEA cards so they get registered and we get them prepped for interviews and we get them a full-time job." She added: "We’ve got a 100% rate in getting kids full-time employment after they’ve been on our course and we have 93% retention rate that they’re still in employment 12 months later."
Molly wants to see more support offered to young people, in the ilk of Weapons Down Gloves Up. She said: "What we’re doing is working. What we need is more people involved, more pathways, more guidance bringing young people to us so we can put them in. It’s free for kids to do and we’re just trying to get them off the streets and give them an opportunity.
"That’s all they need and that’s going to lower anti-social behaviour levels in communities. That will give young people to earn their own living, they haven’t got to go through someone’s door, they haven’t go to carry knives, they haven’t got to be in gangs any more, they can provide a living for themselves."
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