Shaken neighbours of a nine-year-old girl shot and killed in her own home have expressed disgust at the horrific crime. And political leaders across the city also shared their shock and fury at the tragedy.
A mystery gunman burst into the house in the Knotty Ash area of Liverpool on Monday night and shot the little girl in the chest. A man and a woman in the house on Kingsheath Roas also suffered gunshot wounds.
People living nearby were visibly shaken by the events of the night, reports the Liverpool Echo. One neighbour described the incident as "disgusting".
Another said his family had heard four gunshots in the area before police arrived at the scene. It is believed the girl was rushed to hospital by police but sadly died there. Her killer remains on the run.
Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said: "This is absolutely devastating. My thoughts and condolences go to her family and friends. The pain you must feel right now is unimaginable.
"This is a tragedy that will shake our communities. We will do everything we can to support the city and those affected."
Mayor Anderson noted the crime occurred on the anniversary of the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, who was shot dead in Croxteth in 2007. 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."
Harry Doyle, a councillor for the local area, said he was lost for words at the tragic news. "I actually don’t know what to tweet right now," he said. "Words fail me. Anger. Disbelief. Devastation.
"This little girl was nine. There is no place for guns on our streets, not in our community, not in any community."
The shooting occurred at about 10pm, just metres away from a primary school. A police cordon spans a large area surrounding the street and a temporary hub has been set up for police officers at Dovecot Labour Club.
Police swarmed the area for evidence for a number of hours, with armed officers remaining at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Forensic investigators have also been scene in the street where the incident took place.
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."
She urged anyone who lives, works or was visiting the area of Kingsheath Avenue with dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage to come forward. DM @MerPolCC or call @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555111 quoting log 1083 of August 22.
The shooting came just one day after the murder of Ashley Dale, a 28-year-old council worker. She was shot dead in Leinster Road, in the Old Swan area of Liverpool, in the early hours of Sunday, August 21.
