A mum was in the park with her son when a gunman opened fire on a teenage boy.
Groups of families and friends were enjoying a sunny afternoon in Wavertree Botanic Gardens on Friday when a gunman opened fire at an 18-year-old.
Merseyside Police received a 999 call just before 6.30pm reporting shots had been fired. The caller told police they believed there was a man in the bushes who had been shot.
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Officers found a teenager with gunshot wounds to his arm and leg at an address on Parton Street, a six minute car journey away. He was taken to hospital by ambulance with his injuries which police decribed as not life threatening.
One eyewitness, named Rebecca, was in the park with her partner and young son having a barbecue when she heard “four or five shots”.
She told The ECHO: “I was just having a BBQ in the park and I heard this shot being fired, or a firework, I'm not sure what it was. It must have been about four of five shots, I thought it was leftover fireworks.
"Next thing I know police cars are pulling into the car park left and right and armed police turn up. I was with my young son and partner, the park was busy when the noise went off."
Officers put a cordon in place in the park, close to the Botanic Road entrance. Forensics officers and a police dog unit started searching a grassed area, with police confirming they found evidence of shots being fired.
No arrests have yet been made and investigations into the shooting are ongoing.
Chief Inspector Jim Wilde said: “We are in the early stages of an investigation into a shooting which has left a teenage boy injured.
“We understand the fear that gun crime causes and I’d like to assure the community in Wavertree that Merseyside Police is fully committed to tackling gun crime and will immediately pursue those who are prepared to use firearms on our streets.
“The possession of firearms and dangerous weapons will not be tolerated in Merseyside. Therefore I would appeal to anyone who was in Botanic Gardens and saw the incident or anything or anyone suspicious to come forward and let us know.
“Similarly, if you have doorbell footage and live in the surrounding area then please review it and tell us if you see anything. Information you hold could be vital to our ongoing investigation.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or with log 891 of Friday 19 May.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.
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