Heartbroken friends of shooting victim Elle Edwards who died after being shot at a pub on Christmas Eve recalled how they were singing and dancing before she was killed. The 26-year-old beautician had been on a night out with her sister when she was shot in the head outside the Lighthouse pub, in Wallasey Village, Liverpool Echo reports.
Police have now confirmed that Elle who worked in Nova Hair and Beauty Studio in Wirral was not believed to be the target of the shooting which also left four men injured. Elle's friends, Meg and Jess, who were with her that night paid tribute to their friend as they laid flowers outside the scene of the incident.
The women explained that they initially thought the gunshots were 'fireworks' but everything quickly changed in a 'split second'. They said: "We went to go and get a drink, went to the bar and then we just heard bangs and we thought it was fireworks. with it being Christmas within like 10 minutes."
Jess then said she 'had a feeling' something terrible had happened and then they saw Elle on the floor. She said: "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." Elle's sister who's been described as her 'soul mate' was also at the pub that night but left earlier, while Elle decided to stay out.
Meg said: "It plays on your mind, knowing whether she should have gone home. We had been dancing and singing and now she's on the floor.
"I've got videos of us all I can't stop watching...We were so happy. 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." Jess continued: "I just felt grateful that I was still here but felt guilty because I was with my family on Christmas and she wasn't. [Elle's family] most definitely didn't celebrate.
"It could have been anyone - we were incredibly lucky, but it shouldn't have been her either." A 30-year-old man from Tranmere has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder along with a 19-year-old woman from Rock ferry who's been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
Police have confirmed the two suspects have been taken into custody for questioning. Merseyside Police is continuing to urge anyone with any information about the shooting to come forward as the murder investigation continues.
The shooting also left four other victims injured with a 28-year-old man in hospital who is severely injured but no longer in a critical condition. A 22-year-old man also suffered a leg injury, a 24-year-old male sustained an injury to his hand and a 33-year-old man has been left with a wrist injury.
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs from Major Crime Investigations said: "We have made two arrests in connection with this cold-blooded shooting. Elle’s family are still having to come to terms with her tragic loss, and our specially trained family liaison officers are supporting them.
"We will not rest until we bring those responsible to justice and I would appeal to anyone who has information to contact us. I would urge people who were in the Lighthouse Inn at the time of the incident, or anyone who has mobile or CCTV footage of what happened to contact us as a matter of urgency as they may have information which is vital to our investigation.
"We are also appealing to motorists and residents in the area, who may have captured anything on Dashcam or CCTV to contact us and every bit of evidence is crucial to the investigation."
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