A woman killed in a shooting outside a Merseyside pub on Christmas Eve was not thought to have been targeted in the attack, police say.
Emergency services were called to the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village at around 11.50pm following reports of gunshots. Three men and one woman were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds. The young woman later tragically died in hospital.
Issuing an update this afternoon, Merseyside Police say they believe the woman was out celebrating Christmas with friends and family, and was not targeted in the attack. They are now appealing to members of the public to help them trace the gunman.
READ MORE: Young woman dead and three injured in pub shooting
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “Tragically the victim, a 26-year-old woman had suffered a serious gunshot injury to her head. She was taken to Arrowe Park hospital but sadly passed away shortly afterwards.
“Her family have been informed and on today, which should be a day with friends celebrating, they are coming to terms with this tragic loss. It’s very early stages of the investigation but we do not believe that the victim in this case has been targeted.
“She was out enjoying Christmas with her sister and friends at what should have been a peaceful time. What her family are now going through is incomprehensible.”
Police believe that the gunman left the pub car park in a dark-coloured vehicle shortly after the shooting.
The Lighthouse Inn, where the shooting took place, called the incident a 'tragedy beyond any words'.
In a statement, they said: “All our thoughts are with the friends and family of our customers and in particular our hearts go out to the family of our customer who has lost her life.”
Wallasey MP Dame Angela Eagle said the incident was “heartbreaking” and appealed for anyone with information to contact police.
Jeffrey Hughes, minister of the United Reformed Church in Wallasey Village, said news of the fatal shooting will have come as a shock to people in the area.
“We’ve got a lot of young people, families in that area. The Lighthouse is central in that community.
“It’s a shock. When we first heard the news this morning that there’d been a shooting in Wallasey, Wallasey Village is the last place you would think of.”
Anyone with information is asked to direct message @MerPolCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1044 of Saturday 24 December.
READ NEXT:
- Meet the Christmas Heroes working on Greater Manchester's frontline this Christmas Day
- 'It looks like Christmas has been sick all over my 70s house - it's not to my family's taste but I love it'
- Christmas Day Quiz: Try these 100 question and answers with your family and friends today
- 'We shouldn't exist': Inside the very special Christmas toy shop where no-one has to pay a penny
- 21 festive photos of Christmas in Greater Manchester over the years
