The man who shot Olivia Pratt-Korbel dead is a "top tier" gangland thug who fired a Glock handgun previously used to shoot a 19-year-old man nearby.
The nine-year-old was killed on August 22 in Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, when a gunman carrying two firearms burst through her front door chasing a convicted criminal in a bungled execution attempt. The killer also wounded Olivia's mum, Cheryl Korbel, who was standing in front of her daughter.
Today Merseyside Police provided a major update into the investigation into the death of Olivia, revealing the types of guns carried by the killer had been identified - although the guns themselves not yet found - through ballistic analysis. But senior officers also expressed "disgust" that people with potentially vital information were "protecting key individuals".
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The new information about the weapons used in the shooting came alongside the announcement Crimestoppers has raised the reward on offer for information leading to justice for Olivia from £50,000 to £200,000 - the biggest single reward offered in any case in the charity's history.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, speaking with force during a press conference at Merseyside Police HQ, said: "During this investigation I have been disgusted by a small number of individuals who are determined to thwart the investigation, protect the key individuals involved and try and ensure that little Olivia and her family do not receive the justice they deserve.
"This just shows the type of people we are dealing with. However, they won’t be successful, and we will prosecute them too. Being involved with this gunman and anything to do with this horrendous murder will leave a stain on you for life.
"I have no doubts that when you are charged and convicted you will be regarded with absolute disgust by your family, your friends and your communities. Your loyalty to this man is utterly misplaced and it will cost you."
DCS Kameen revealed that some names have been given to police "many times", but the investigations into organised criminal groups linked to the shootings are "complex" and may involve criminals operating in areas other than Dovecot.
He said: "I have no doubt, whatsoever, that we are dealing with some of the most serious and organised criminals. We have an individual here who has brought two firearms to this attack. When you look at why he brought two firearms, I would suggest he was clearly motivated to do what he was sent to do or intended to do. This is serious and organised crime at its highest level."
The press conference went into detail about the weapons used in the shooting, identified by examining markings on the bullets used at the scene in conjunction with the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS). While Olivia was shot with solely the revolver, the gunman had also fired a 9mm self-loading Glock handgun at his initial target, 35-year-old Joseph Nee.
Scientists linked the Glock to two other shootings in the area, one in which a 19-year-old man was wounded and another in which two rival groups fired a number of shots at each other.
DCS Kameen said the Glock handgun used by Olivia's killer has been designated 'Linked Series 179' (LS-179). It was first recorded as being fired in a criminal incident at 8.50pm on January 27, 2020, in Wimbourne Close, Dovecot, where the teenage victim was wounded.
He said: "In shocking similarity to the circumstances leading to Olivia’s murder, one of the bullets also went through the front door of a house of an innocent member of the community. This attack could quite clearly have had far more dire consequences had someone been stood behind that door.
"This evidences the callous nature of those people in possession of this weapon. They have no regard for the safety or life of anyone else. They do not therefore deserve anyone’s loyalty."
DCS Kameen said there have not yet been any arrests or charges in connection with that shooting, but declined to comment on whether the 19-year-old man shot at had ever provided any co-operation with police. He said the link to the other two shootings did give the force a "whole host of investigative opportunities" to pursue new lines of enquiries.
The second shooting attributed to LS-179 occurred at 9.40pm on August 8 this year in Finch Way, Dovecot, only a short distance from the scene of Olivia's murder. DCS Kameen said: "On this occasion two rival groups, one in a car and the other on motorcycles, fired shots indiscriminately whilst near to some playing fields.
"This occurred in the middle of summer in an area where innocent local people would have been enjoying the park. Once again, as with the first time this weapon was used in our communities, we find that those in possession of it have no care, thought or loyalty for anyone else or their safety. Once again, they do not deserve anyone’s loyalty."
Mick Duthie, director of operations at Crimestoppers, said £100,000 had been provided by an anonymous benefactor, which the charity's founder, Tory peer Lord Ashcroft, agreed to match. He added: "It’s important for me to stress that over all those decades, Crimestoppers has kept our 100% guarantee of anonymity.
"We never record calls or ask for your personal details. All incoming phone calls are scrambled, so we can never call you back or use 1471 to know who you are. We never ask why you call or where you are. All we want is for you to do the right thing and give us your information."
DCS Kameen continued: "We have the opportunity to work together and remove these toxic people from our communities – so please tell us where those guns are now. Let us go and recover them so they can never be used again.
"A simple anonymous phone call or online report could remove this man and the guns he has used from our communities. He will never know who has contacted Crimestoppers and neither will we the police.
"No-one should shoot a child and not face justice – silence is not an option for anyone."
Information qualifying for the reward must be passed to Crimestoppers via the 0800 555 111 number or the secure anonymous online form here.
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