The killers of Elle Edwards are "pathetic cowards" who "deserve to see every Christmas from behind bars", according to Merseyside's most senior police officer.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy vowed her officers would be "relentless" in bringing those responsible for the 26-year-old's murder to justice, as well as piling the pressure on to organised criminals in Wirral.
Elle was celebrating Christmas Eve with family and friends at the Lighthouse Pub, Wallasey Village, shortly before midnight when a gunman fired multiple shots towards the front entrance, hitting her in the head and wounding four other men.
READ MORE: Chilling warning days before Elle Edwards gunned down in Christmas atrocity
Yesterday a 30-year-old man from Tranmere was arrested on suspicion of murder and a 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Both remain in custody.
Officers also arrested four men overnight on suspicion of possession of a bladed article, a public order offence and drug offences as part of disruption tactics aimed at criminal gangs in the Wallasey and Birkenhead areas.
Chief Constable Kennedy said: "We are absolutely committed to finding those responsible for the callous and cold-blooded murder of 26-year-old Elle on Christmas Eve and our hearts go out to Elle’s family and friends.
"Elle was doing what any member of the community should be able to do on Christmas Eve – simply enjoying herself with friends and her sister and celebrating the festivities. As a mum of two girls, who are a similar age to Elle, I can’t begin to comprehend what they are going through right now, but I do know that they will carry the heavy loss of Elle for the rest of their lives and there will always be a major part of their lives missing.
"Detectives are continuing their investigations and they will be relentless in their work to establish what led up to the incident on Christmas Eve and who was responsible for this sickening and heart-breaking incident, which has ruined so many lives and culminated in the loss of a beautiful young woman.
"On Christmas Day morning I went out to Wallasey Village to speak to officers and members of the public and I witnessed first-hand the devastating impact this has had on people in Wallasey Village.
"The use of firearms, violence and intimidation has no place in our communities, and sadly we often see firearms being used to resolve petty and pathetic issues. These people are cowards, who think the only way to resolve an argument is through violence, they don’t have the strength or resolve to work things out and stop things from reaching such an ugly and devastating conclusion.
"Anyone involved in arranging this shooting, pulling the trigger and supplying the gun deserves to see every Christmas from behind bars.
"We will be relentless in our commitment to find justice for Elle and her family. I urge anyone who has any information about those responsible for this horrific shooting at a crowded local public house to stop and think of the heartache and pain that has been caused, and if you know who did this, do the right thing and let us know.
"We are pursuing a number of positive lines of enquiry in relation to the murder, but the more information we have to build the picture of what happened on the night the better. I would like to reiterate our previous appeals for any dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage from anyone who lives, works or was in the area of Wallasey village on the night of Christmas Eve to come forward.
"If you saw, heard, have any images or videos or know anything, tell us directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers."
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000948723.
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