Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot dead at bedtime as she hid behind her mother who opened the door after hearing a commotion.
The nine-year-old died after being blasted in the chest in the Knotty Ash area of Liverpool.
She had been standing behind her mum Cheryl at the foot of the stairs as a gunman opened fire through a gap in the doorway at the front of her home on Monday night.
Cheryl had opened the front door to see what was happening outside before one man forced his way into her home, followed by the armed man.
Neither man are believed to have been known to the family.
A number of shots were fired before one bullet hit Cheryl in the wrist and Olivia in the chest.
Cheryl had desperately tried to barricade the door as bullets blasted into their home, reports the Sun.
Hours after Olivia had been named as the victim, Luke Korbel, who is believed to be her cousin, wrote on Facebook : “What the f***s the world come to ay?
“Would never even think of wishing any of this on me worst enemy.
“The most cleverest 9 year old your going to get, had the brain like an 18 year old she did, most funniest and politest always had a smile on her face we all know you will keep smiling up there, your going to be missed be each and every single one of us you really are, Liv.”
Neighbours said they heard at least four shots as well as Olivia's mum screaming.
Horrifically, a black Audi soon arrived to the scene to transport the injured man to hospital, leaving Olivia dying on the floor of her home.
Officers then arrived and the scene and rushed Olivia to Alder Hey before North West Ambulance Service took her mum to Aintree Hospital, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The Audi has since been seized and police are looking to identify the gunman who was wearing a black padded jacket, gloves and a balaclava as well as the other man who ran down Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot.
Police remain at the scene with a cordon currently in place.
