Criminals urged to turn in killer of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, after shooting that 'crossed every boundary'

24 August 2022, 00:24 | Updated: 24 August 2022, 07:15

Merseyside Police have urged criminals to turn in the killer of a nine-year-old girl in Liverpool, saying her shooting "crosses every single boundary".

Olivia Pratt-Korbel died in hospital on Monday after a gunman forced his way into her home on Kingsheath Avenue and fired at a man he had been pursuing.

The attack came exactly 15 years after 11-year-old Rhys Jones was shot dead in the city, in nearby Croxteth.

Speaking at a press conference, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy appealed to "members of the criminal fraternity" to "examine their consciences" and identify Olivia's killer.

Read more: Nine-year-old 'ray of sunshine' shot dead in Merseyside named as Olivia Pratt-Korbel

"They will have vital information that can help us," she said.

"The killing of a nine-year-old child is an absolute tragedy and crosses every single boundary, and I would urge them to do the right thing so we can put this person behind bars."

Ms Kennedy also warned against a "no-grass" culture taking hold in the community, pledging to protect those who spoke to the police.

"If people are frightened to come forward, we can have those conversations in confidence," she said.

"Please come forward and let us work with you, so that you can feel confident to give us that information and not feel frightened around the reprisals."

Investigators believe the attacker chased a 35-year-old man into the house, who had tried to escape through the open front door.

Olivia's mother, Cheryl, attempted to block the gunman from getting in, prompting him to fire into the property.

One bullet hit Cheryl in the wrist and Olivia, who was standing directly behind her, in the chest.

Ch Con Kennedy said the 35-year-old man was taken to hospital by his friends, saying: "Whilst Olivia lay dying, he was picked up by his friends who took him to hospital."

The nine-year-old was rushed to Alder Hey Children's Hospital by police officers, where she died of her injuries.

Her mother is recovering at a separate hospital.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen urged the attacker to "recognise the pain and anguish that this has caused to her family" and hand himself in.

He added that local residents were "rightly and understandably frightened" but were cooperating with the police.

"We've had great support already and I would just urge people not to rest," he continued.

"Don't think that because of the excellent response we've already had, that people don't need to do their bit as well. We need everybody to come forward."

Barbara Murray, Labour councillor for the Yew Tree ward in Liverpool where Olivia lived, repeated police calls for anyone with information to come forward.

She told BBC Breakfast: "Coming forward, you don't have to go to the police. (Liverpool) has got 90 councillors, I think any one of them would liaise with police on behalf of anybody who wants to give information.

"Really strongly, I would say people can use Crimestoppers. It's an anonymous phone call. You don't have to give information about yourself.

"When something like this happens, it's always the case, someone, somewhere will know who (the perpetrator) is."

Olivia Pratt-Korbel named as nine-year-old victim of Liverpool shooting

Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the "horrific, senseless shooting", saying: "My thoughts are with Olivia Pratt-Korbel's family and the people of Liverpool... This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will ensure @MerseyPolice get whatever they need to catch those responsible and secure justice for Olivia."

Rebecca Wilkinson, headteacher of St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School in Huyton, which Olivia attended, described her as "a little ray of sunshine".