Children consoled one another as a heartbroken local community came together to pay tribute to Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Nine-year-old Olivia was fatally shot in the chest at around 10pm on Monday (August 22). Merseyside Police believe a 35-year-old man, who was being chased by a man armed with a gun, forced his way into Olivia's house on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot.
The offender ran in after him, firing a number of shots - one of which hit Olivia's mum Cheryl in the wrist before fatally wounding Olivia. Police remain on the hunt for the gunman, while the local community has been rocked by what Mayor Joanne Anderson called "an appalling act of evil".
READ MORE: Mum's fight to save Olivia Pratt-Korbel as shooter invaded their home
The ECHO spoke to neighbours at the scene in Dovecot on Tuesday (August 23). One man, who wished to remain anonymous, said he knew the family and was devastated by Olivia's death.
He said: "They're a quiet family and Olivia was lovely - very pleasant, very polite, very kind. She would play out in the street with the other kids. It's heartbreaking, devastating. There are families around here that won't feel safe now."
Earlier on Thursday, a man and a woman told the ECHO they had heard the gunshots on Monday but thought they were fireworks. They said: "We heard the shots just after the match finished around 10pm, but thought they were fireworks. We heard four bangs."
They added: "The last few months have been bad around here. I can't even let the kids go to the shop. Everyone came out after the shots - police came from every direction. I can't believe the victim is a nine-year-old girl - I feel sick."
Floral tributes were left next to the cordon on Kingsheath Avenue, many of which contained condolences to Olivia's family. The first tributes were placed just after 3pm and by the evening, the corner of the street had become the focus for people leaving flowers and messages.
One tribute read: "Words cannot describe how this tragedy has turned this city upside down. Our thoughts and prayers are with Olivia's family at this sad time. Rest in Peace little one."
Another said: "A precious little angel taken too soon. God bless. Sleep tight Olivia." Another tribute said: "R.I.P Olivia feels like only yesterday you were in my garden laughing".
One, signed from Aunty Kim and Uncle Tony, read: "Olivia, R.I.P baby girl, can't believe what has happened. It is like a nightmare, we shall miss you so much our sassy queen".
Many of the flowers were placed by children Olivia's age or younger. Two children held hands as they added a bouquet to the growing number of tributes. People cried and many children consoled each other as they stood and looked at the messages.
The mood around Kingsheath Avenue was incredibly sombre and many people cried as they placed their tributes for Olivia at the cordon. Neighbours who spoke to the ECHO wanted assurances the gunman would be caught, while one said that he believed the area lacked the required number of police officers patrolling the streets.
At the scene, the ECHO also spoke to Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, who made a plea for anyone with information about the fatal shooting to come forward. She said: “I think we all woke up this morning and were absolutely heartbroken to hear the news.
"Anything like this is always tragic, but particularly when you talk about an innocent nine-year-old girl. I think everybody is feeling today just how awful that is.
"My message to the community is to come forward if you know anything, there is a huge amount of proactive work being done by the Chief Constable and Merseyside Police. They are investigating this thoroughly - they’ve pulled in resources from other sources, but we are reliant on information from the community.
"Anything they can give us to help us identify who was around, who helped locate the weapon, who drove the car - anything to help us try to get those individuals would be really useful.”
Asked what the people of Dovecot could expect from Merseyside Police in the next 24 hours, she said: “The community can expect to see a very visible presence, you can already see that there is still a sizeable presence here as the investigation is ongoing.
"The chief has pulled in resources from neighbouring forces to make sure that both the investigation is fully resourced but also that community reassurance is there. Particularly as we go forward with the manhunt, that they’ve got as many people as possible out there trying to find this individual.
"The community can expect to see more police on the streets - they want to come and engage with you, they want to have a conversation if people are feeling anxious. Please do chat to them, they want to reassure you and then I think it will be monitored as we go forward in terms of how quickly we can locate the offender."
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or call @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1083 of 22nd August.
READ NEXT:
- 'Olivia was one of our own, and one of our own has been taken'
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson responds to 'horrific' killing of Olivia Pratt-Korbel
- Rhys Jones foundation 'devastated' at death of Olivia Pratt-Korbel
- First flowers at the scene of Olivia Pratt-Korbel shooting
- Mum's fight to save Olivia Pratt-Korbel as shooter invaded their home
