Tributes have been paid to a “special daughter” killed in a pub shooting on Christmas Eve.
Elle Edwards has been described as someone who brought “laughs and happiness” into people’s lives.
The 26-year-old beautician was shot in the head at the Lighthouse in Wallasey Village, Merseyside, while out with her friends and sister.
Flowers and other tributes have been laid at the scene of the shooting, which also left one man in a critical condition and injured three others.
Merseyside Police have said Elle 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 Elle had been shot.
Some initially thought the gunfire was festive fireworks as the incident happened just before midnight.
Elle is understood to have worked at a local beauty salon - Nova Studio - which posted on Instagram: “Absolutely lost for words... Heaven gained the most beautiful angel.
“We are all heartbroken, thinking of all of your family right now Elle, thank you for all of the laughs and happiness you brought into our lives, rest in paradise angel, love from your team at nova.”
Dozens of people responded to the post. One said: “Elle was such a beautiful girl inside and out, so sorry for your loss.”
Another said: “Rest in paradise our gorgeous angel. Always in our hearts forever and always.”
A 28-year-old man from Beechwood on the Wirral remained in a critical condition on Christmas Day following the shooting, police said.
Three other men who were hurt were not believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.
They are a 22-year-old man, also from Beechwood, who had leg injuries, a 24-year-old man from Wallasey with a hand injury, as well as a 33-year-old man who suffered an injury to his wrist.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “We believe that the gunman fired shots towards the front entrance of the pub.
“We know that minutes later, a dark-coloured vehicle, possibly an A-class Mercedes, was seen to leave the pub car park, so we are particularly keen to speak to that male and anybody who knows anything about that vehicle.”
Wallasey MP Dame Angela Eagle urged anyone with information on the “reckless” shooter to come forward.
She told the BBC: “It’s really, really important, if you have any information that might lead to the conviction of someone who has been so reckless, please come forward and tell the police what you know.”
She said there was no proof that the shooting was linked to organised crime in Liverpool.
“We know that for many years there’s been a serious and organised crime issue with firearms involved over the river (in Liverpool).
“It hasn’t really impinged on the Wirral side of the River Mersey and there’s no proof or evidence at the moment that what happened in Wallasey Village is actually related to any of the gangs in Liverpool.”
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