A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel who was gunned down in her Liverpool home.
Olivia was killed and her mother Cheryl, 46, was injured when a masked shooter opened fire on a man who was fleeing into their home in the Dovecot area of Liverpool on Monday night.
Armed officers carried out an arrest on Thursday night in Merseyside, detaining a 36-year-old man on suspicion of Olivia’s murder and two attempted murders.
Merseyside Police had launched a massive manhunt to catch the gunman, working with forces around the country, the National Crime Agency, specialist organised crime detectives, and Border Force agents amid fears he may have fled abroad.
It was revealed on Friday morning that the murder suspect, currently in custody and being questioned by detectives, is from the Huyton area of Liverpool.
On Thursday, Olivia’s “heartbroken” family released a statement paying tribute to the nine-year-old who “loved life and all it had to offer”.
“Liv was a unique, chatty, nosey little girl who broke the mould when she was born”, they said.
“Liv loved dressing up and was very particular on how she was dressed, like any other little girl she loved doing her make-up and nails, she was nine going on 19.
“Liv was adored by everyone who knew her and would instantly make friends with anyone and everyone. She was often seen going up and down the street on her new bike she had just got for her birthday.
“Although her life was short, her personality certainly wasn’t and she lived it to the most she could, and would blow people away with her wit and kindness.”
Olivia was killed shortly after 10pm on Monday, when convicted burglar Joseph Nee, 35, burst into their home while being pursued by a gunman.
Shots rang out and Olivia was struck in the chest, while her mother suffered an injury to her wrist. Nee, who was also injured, was picked up by friends and taken to hospital in the aftermath of the shooting.
He remains under the care of doctors, and is expected to be returned to prison after his licence was revoked.
The friends who helped him have been questioned by police, and another man who was with Nee that night has also been spoken to, Merseyside Police said.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen made an appeal on Thursday for help catching the killer, vowing to “find him wherever he goes”.
"My message to him remains the same - we will not rest until we find you. And we will find you”, he said.
Olivia’s family said: “If anyone knows anything, now is the time to speak up. It is not about being a ‘snitch’ or a ‘grass’, it is about finding out who took our baby away from us. “Please do the right thing.”
Everton FC players Tom Davies and Connor Coady have spoken out publicly about the shooting, and in a video message Toffees manager Frank Lampard said: “Our entire community needs to come together.
“If you know anything or have any information on the incident, please let the authorities know. Keeping quiet is not an option. Enough is enough. Whose side are you on?”
