Two people have been arrested for questioning after a “cold-blooded” Christmas Eve pub shooting in Merseyside resulted in a 26-year-old woman’s death and several others being injured, the police said on Monday.
A 30-year-old man from Tranmere has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and a 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, Merseyside Police said in a statement on Monday evening.
UK police do not regularly release identifiable information about suspects before charging them.
The fatal shooting occurred just before midnight on Dec. 24 in the car park of the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village just outside of Liverpool in England.
Elle Edward, a 26-year-old beautician, was shot in the head. She died at Arrowe Park Hospital shortly after.
Police have said Edward was celebrating Christmas with her sister and friends at the time and that she was not believed to be targeted.
A number of other people were also injured during the shooting, including four men who were taken to hospital.
A 28-year-old man from Beechwood, Wirral, was in critical condition in hospital with a gunshot wound to the body, Merseyside police said on Christmas day.
On Dec. 26, the police said the man continued to receive medical treatment.
The other three male victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
A 22-year-old suffered injuries to his legs, a 24-year-old suffered an injury to his hand, and a 33-year-old suffered an injury to his wrist, the police said.
Announcing the arrests in connection with “this cold-blooded shooting,” on Monday, Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs from Major Crime Investigations said specially trained family liaison officers were supporting Edward’s family, who are “still having to come to terms with her tragic loss.”
“We will not rest until we bring those responsible to justice and I would appeal to anyone who has information to contact us,“ Coombs said, calling on witnesses with mobile, CCTV, or dashcam footage to contact the police ”as a matter of urgency.”
In previous statements, Merseyside police said they believed the suspect escaped in a dark-coloured car after the shooting.
Coombs on Sunday said “a dark-coloured car, possibly an A-Class Mercedes, was seen to leave the pub car park” minutes after shots were believed to be fired at the front entrance to the pub.
‘Special Daughter’
At the scene of the shooting, flowers and other tributes have been laid for Edward.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.”
A note with flowers, signed “mum and dad,” read: “To my beautiful Elle, you are the light of my life, you will never be gone.”
Friends who were at the pub that evening described feeling “numb” when they learned Edwards had been shot.
They told Sky News 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.”
Local Leaders Call for Information
On Monday, Merseyside Police officers, local councillors, and representatives from Wirral Council and the office of local MP Dame Angela Eagle called on residents surrounding the area to “provide reassurance and give residents an opportunity to raise any concerns they may have.”Wirral’s Community Policing lead, Superintendent Matthew Moscrop, said “the common sentiment from residents was sympathy for the family of Elle, who have tragically lost their loved one.”
He said residents expressed understanding regarding road closures during the investigation and appreciated the visit.
He also urged anyone with any information to contact the police.
“This is not the time for anyone who knows who is responsible for this shooting to stay quiet. Do the right thing and contact us with information,” he said.
Merseyside Police uniformed police officers are patrolling Wallasey Village and a mobile police station has been set up for residents to approach them.
Jeanette Williams, leader of Wirral Borough Council, said the incident was “horrendous and abhorrent” and a “one-off occurrence which is out of character for the area.”
Williams urged those who have information to step forward, saying they would otherwise be “complicit to the murder of the young woman.”
