Friends of a woman who was shot dead while "so happy" on a night out in a pub on Christmas Eve have described the harrowing moment everything changed.
BREAKING: Two arrested for murder over shooting of innocent beautician in pub on Christmas eve
And the heartbroken parents of innocent Elle Edwards have left a tragic tribute to their "special" daughter at the scene of her senseless killing, calling her the "light of my life".
Beautician Elle, 26, was out with friends when a gunman opened fire near the front entrance of the pub, police said, in what is believed to be a drive-by shooting at the Lighthouse Inn.
A 30-year-old man from Tranmere has on Monday night been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in connection with the shooting, while a 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
Elle was described as someone who brought “laughs and happiness” into people’s lives.
She had been enjoying a night out out with her sister and friends Meg and Jess when the shooting happened, and the group had been "so happy".
Jess told Sky News: "We went to go get a drink and we were at the bar and we just heard bangs.
"The second I heard Elle, I was like, 'It's not, it's not, it's not.' I could see her on the floor, people around her trying to help her.
"You just feel hopeless, you can't help, you can't do anything."
Meg said the moment of Elle's death was a "blur" and came as she was happy and the friends were having "so much fun".
The pals had been dancing and singing before shots rang out before Elle suddenly fell to the floor.
She said: "It happened so fast, I can't get it out of my head. I wish we could have done more, but there was nothing else we could have done."
Meg said she cannot stop watching videos of the group singing and dancing inside the Lighthouse Inn, in Wallasey Village, Wirral, since her friend's death.
It was reported Elle's sister, who lives in Dubai, had left the pub earlier and her friends said the thought that Elle should have gone home with her sister was playing on their minds.
And Jess added that she felt guilt that she was with her family on Christmas day, but Elle was not, adding that it could have been anyone killed that fateful night - but it should not have been her friend, who she described as a "gorgeous soul".
Elle's disconsolate dad, Tim Edwards, led family and friends in adding to the sea of flowers at the scene of the shooting on Boxing Day.
A tribute left by her parents reads: "To my beautiful Elle, you are the light of my life, you will never be gone."
Merseyside Police have said Ms Edwards is not believed to have been the gunman’s target.
A heart-shaped plaque bearing a pink and green floral design, read: “Special Daughter, the happiness you brought in your own special way, will be remembered with love each and every day.”
Friends who were at the pub that evening described feeling “numb” when they learned Ms Edwards had been shot.
They said they initially thought the gunfire was festive fireworks as the incident happened just before midnight, but they said things soon changed and “automatically everyone just stopped”.
Asked what memories they had of their friend, they described her as “so funny”, adding: “There was never a time when we’ve been out where we’ve not had a ball.”
Another four men suffered gunshot wounds in the horror, with one left fighting for his life in hospital.
Brave pubgoers attempted CPR on the victims with family members of eyewitnesses describing the horrific scenes as people attempted to help.
Locals have shared their fears as they heard about the incident with one woman saying her daughter was forced to perform CPR.
Writing on Facebook, she said: "This is just so tragic. My daughter was there giving CPR with another girl until help arrived. My heart goes out to the families."
Other Facebook users on the group thanked the woman's daughter, calling her a "hero" and a "brave, selfless young lady."
Another parent said: "My daughter was there, she and her friends got home safe but is very distressed. She was stood right by the girl who was killed. So scary."
One mum added: "Utterly heart-breaking, what is going on? My daughter was in there last night, I've just ran to her room to check she was in bed safe. Thoughts with all the families, thinking of everyone affected."
Elle, who worked at Nova Hair and Beauty Studio in the Wirral - was taken to Arrowe Park hospital but passed away from her injuries.
Tributes from friends say Elle was a "beautiful soul inside and out" and a "lovely girl."
Friend Taylor Southern said on Facebook: "She was one of the most beautiful girls in Wallasey inside and out... I hope you're shining beautifully up there."
At a press conference Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the woman's family have been left heartbroken by the "callous" shooting.
She said: "As you can imagine, her devastated family are inconsolable and heartbroken.
"The woman was enjoying a night out with family and friends when the callous and cold-blooded shooting took place at the pub.
"This is not the time for anyone who knows who is responsible for this shooting to stay quiet.
"The fact that this has happened on Christmas Eve makes the tragedy even more unpalatable and shows those responsible have no regard for members of the public who just want to be able to live their lives without fear.
"She should have had the rest of her life to look forward to, instead her family can now only think of what might have been. These people need to be caught."
Merseyside Police say they do not believe it was a targeted attack as they continue to investigate what happened.
Officers were called just after 11.50pm on Saturday night to the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village following reports gunshots had been fired.
Elle was rushed to Arrowe Park hospital with a serious gunshot injury to the head where she was sadly pronounced dead.
Four men were also taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
A 28-year-old man from Beechwood, Wirral, is currently in critical condition in a hospital with a gunshot wound to the body.
In addition, a 22-year-old man from Beechwood suffered injuries to his legs, a 24-year-old man from Wallasey suffered an injury to his hand and a 33-year-old man suffered an injury to his wrist. None of the injuries suffered by these men are life-threatening.
A murder investigation is underway and CCTV, forensic and witness enquiries have been carried out.
Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “No family should have to be faced with this ordeal at any time but at Christmas, which should be a time of peace and celebration, it makes is so much harder to bear.
“Our specially trained family liaison officers are supporting the family at this tragic time and we are determined to find those responsible.
“The investigation is still in the early stages and we are trying to establish a motive and the circumstances surrounding this callous and cold blooded shooting.
“We believe the gunman fired shots at the front entrance to the pub. Minutes later a dark coloured car, possibly an A-Class Mercedes, was seen to leave the pub car park. We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of that car and ask anyone who may have seen it to contact us immediately.
“We will not rest until we find the people responsible for this shooting and I would appeal to anyone who has information or believes they captured something significant on their dashcam, doorbell camera or mobile phone to contact us.
“Our investigation will rely heavily on information we receive from the public and I urge members of the local community, who have any information which could help us, to get in touch so we can bring those responsible for the horrific murder of a young woman at Christmas to justice.”
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000948723.
