A 22-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Elle Edwards, who was shot at a pub in Wallasey on Christmas Eve.
Connor Chapman, of Houghton Road, Woodchurch, appeared at Wirrel Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning. He was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday.
Chapman has also been charged with two counts of attempted murder, three counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and handling stolen goods.
A 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail pending further enquiries, police said.
Ms Edwards, a 26-year-old beautician, was fatally shot at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, Wirral, shortly before midnight on December 24.
CHARGED | We've charged a 22 yr-old man with the murder of Elle Edwards in #Wallasey on Christmas Eve. Connor Chapman from #Woodchurch has also been charged with attempt murder, unlawful and malicious wounding and firearms offences. More here: https://t.co/ISUgxbI8ky pic.twitter.com/R27wI5JATG
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) January 13, 2023
She is not believed to have been the intended target of the attack, in which four men were also hurt.
Her father, Tim Edwards, read out a statement on behalf of the family at a press conference by Merseyside Police five days after the murder.
He said: “There was no one as beautiful as our Elle May, her looks, her laugh and the way she would light up a room as soon as she walked in.
“She had this way about her that as soon as you met her, you just instantly fell in love with her, everyone that met Elle knew how special she was.
“She was only just getting started. Christmas and our family will never be the same again without her. She was the glue that held this big family together, from all of us.”
Three other people have already been arrested in connection with the murder.
A 31-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and bailed, and a 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder was recalled to prison.
