A dispute between family-based crime groups is believed to have been the catalyst for the bungled assassination attempt that led to Olivia Pratt-Korbel being shot dead.
The nine-year-old was at home with her mum and older siblings in Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, when a gunman burst through the door at around 10pm on Monday, August 22. The killer had been in pursuit of 35-year-old Joseph Nee, who forced his way into the house after noticing Olivia's mum, 46-year-old Cheryl Korbel, open the door to see what was going on outside.
The gunman managed to get his arm through the door, despite what police described as "the best efforts" of Ms Korbel, and fired a shot which hit Ms Korbel in the wrist and then struck Olivia, who was stood directly behind her mum. He then continued to shoot, wounding Nee in the torso and legs.
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In a tragic coincidence, the killing occurred on the 15th anniversary of the death of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, shot by street thug Sean Mercer who was attempting to target gang rival Wayne Brady. That tragedy had its background in clashes between the Croxteth based 'Crocky Crew', of which the 16-year-old Mercer was a member, and the Norris Green based 'Strand Gang', also known as the 'Nogga Dogz'.
However the ECHO understands the circumstances leading up to Olivia's death are not rooted in area based street gangs with generally younger members. According to sources in the community, the lethal violence that crossed the threshold from the street into her home is believed to relate to a falling out between two notorious family based gangs with roots in the east of the city.
The ECHO understands the dispute may involve one side's attempts to "fill a power vacuum" created when a senior criminal was sent to prison, and is not related to gang members straying into "rival turf", as Brady did before Rhys Jones was killed.
Merseyside Police have so far arrested two men, aged 36 and 33, on suspicion of Olivia's murder, while Joseph Nee is also in his mid 30s, suggesting the investigation is not focused on teenagers. The ECHO understands the two family based gangs involved have a long history of involvement in drugs trafficking, as well as firearms offences.
Merseyside Police could not comment on the claims. Last week, during a Merseyside Police press conference, the ECHO asked Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen whether specific, defined organised crime groups had been identified as involved in the dispute leading to Olivia's murder.
He said: "We are absolutely reviewing all of the intelligence around each of our organised crime groups that we believe operate in that area. We are looking at feuds ongoing at this time and historically as well.
"Every avenue of investigative opportunity is being exploited. I can't go into the details of where those OCGs sit, who was involved, for obvious reasons."
The two men arrested on suspicion of Olivia's murder have been released on bail, but the 36-year-old has also been recalled to prison on licence.
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111. If you have any CCTV/dashcam/smart doorbell footage that could help inquiries they can be downloaded on the dedicated public portal for Olivia's murder, which will go straight through to the investigation team. Footage can be submitted here Public Portal ( mipp.police.uk )
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