A nine-year-old girl was shot dead after a masked gunman firing “with complete disregard” burst into her Liverpool home chasing a second man.
The young victim, named by Merseyside Police as Olivia Pratt-Korbel, was killed by a bullet which also struck her mother as she fought to keep the intruders out of their house in the Knotty Ash area of the city on Monday night.
The balaclava-wearing gunman then fled on foot before the 35-year-old man he was pursuing was collected by friends and driven to hospital while Olivia lay dying.
The gunman and man chased had no connection to Olivia and her mother, police said
Merseyside Police chief Serena Kennedy added: “On arrival, our officers could see just how poorly Olivia was.”
Olivia was taken to Alder Hey hospital in critical condition suffering a gun wound to the chest after the shooting on Kingsheath Avenue, and was later pronounced dead.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, head of investigations at Merseyside Police, said the gunman, who was wearing a black balaclava with a peak and black gloves, forced his way into the building as Olivia's mother Cheryl tried to close the door.
Ms Kennedy said Olivia’s “family are absolutely devastated, inconsolable and heartbroken”.
She added: “I know that the murder of Olivia has rocked our communities, who are quite rightly upset and outraged that such an abhorrent crime has occurred here on the streets of Merseyside.
“The people of Liverpool and Merseyside are known for their compassion and pulling together in times of crisis, and I know that our communities, people are wanting to help the family in any way possible.
“This is not the time for anyone who knows who's responsible for this shooting to remain tight-lipped.
“It is time for our communities to come together with us and make Merseyside a place where the use of guns on our streets is totally unacceptable, and those who use them are held to account.”
The headteacher of St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School has paid tribute to murder victim Olivia Pratt-Korbel saying she had “a beautiful smile, a lovely sense of humour and a bubbly personality”.
Rebecca Wilkinson said: “Our school community is devasted at the sad loss of Olivia. We are in shock and disbelief at such tragic news.
“She was kind-hearted and would go out of her way to help others. She loved to perform and recently participated in the school production of The Wizard Of Oz.
“Olivia will be missed greatly by staff and children at our school.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this extremely sad time.”
Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotherham said he is “absolutely sickened” by the “senseless loss” of Olivia’s life.
“An innocent child, with a whole life ahead of her, has not only had her future stolen, but from her entire family too,” Mr Rotherham said.
“The heartbreak and pain they must be feeling today is unimaginable, and my thoughts are with them and everyone who knew and loved her.”
Mr Rotherham added that the death of the nine-year-old comes as residents remember the fatal shooting of Rhys Jones, which shook the region “to its very core.”
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne has said there is “lots of anger out there” following the shooting of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
The Labour MP told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme: “It's been exceedingly difficult listening to obviously the news this morning and then getting more details this afternoon of the horrific incidents around Olivia's death.
“It's been difficult to process for the whole community.
“There's lots and lots of anger out there at the moment. There's lots of outrage, disbelief that this could happen in our community.”
He went on: “At the moment, it's very raw. People are processing what's happening, getting more information, as you said by the hour, but there's a lot of fear and a lot of anger out there at the moment.”
Prime minister Boris Johnson condemned the “horrific, senseless shooting” of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
“My thoughts are with Olivia Pratt-Korbel's family and the people of Liverpool following this horrific, senseless shooting,” he said.
It was an “unimaginable tragedy”, Mr Johnson said, and he promised Merseyside Police would get “whatever they need to catch those responsible and secure justice for Olivia”.
Home secretary Priti Patel has offered her “heartfelt condolences” to Olivia’s family, promising Merseyside Police her “full support”.
She said: “This morning, I have spoken to the chief constable for Merseyside Police about the tragic shooting in Liverpool last night.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the nine-year-old girl who has died.
“It is important that anyone with information comes forward to assist the police with their investigations. The force has my full support and will receive any additional resources they need.”
Have you been impacted by this? If so, email thomas.kingsley@independent.co.uk
