A community rallied around the family of Elle Edwards as they remembered her a week on from her murder.
Elle's mum and extended family gathered at the Holy Apostles and Martyrs Parish Church in Wallasey Village today, Saturday, December 31 to light a candle in her memory. The 26-year-old, described as "special" and "beautiful" in a family tribute, was shot in the head at the Lighthouse Pub shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve.
The beautician had been celebrating her sister's return from Dubai with friends when a gunman sprayed bullets into a crowded area outside the pub. Elle was not the intended target, detectives believe, and four other men aged between 22 and 33 were also wounded in the incident.
READ MORE: Police issue update on third person arrested over Elle Edwards murder
So far three people have been arrested in connection with her murder, including a 30-year-old man from Tranmere on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. A 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry and a 31-year-old man from Tranmere were also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Merseyside Police confirmed earlier today that all three people have been released on bail while inquiries into Elle's murder continue.
This afternoon members of the Wallasey Village community gathered at the parish church to remember Elle. Her mum and extended family courageously gathered to lead proceedings by lighting a candle in memory of the popular woman.
Speaking to the ECHO outside the church, parish priest Canon Philip Moor said: "It's a week on from the shooting on Christmas Eve and all the local churches have been open today to give the community an opportunity to come together. They can say a little prayer if they want to and light a candle, but to also have some quiet time of reflection together as a community."
Canon Moor, who has been the parish priest for 13 years, added: "The local community has been extremely shocked, saddened and devastated by it all. There is still a sense of disbelief that something like this could happen in the midst of our community.
"The local community is hurting and we're all questioning why? But we are a close and tight knit community and we are pulling to help support Elle's family and each other at this time."
Yesterday Elle's dad Tim sat quietly beside Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs, the senior investigating officer in the case, during a press conference at Merseyside Police's headquarters. Reading a statement on behalf of the family, DSI Coombs said: "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. We will love and miss her forever. Our Elle May, the most beautiful and bright star out there, forever and always."
The ECHO understands detectives are trawling through thousands of hours of CCTV footage, while ballistic experts are analysing evidence from the scene. But Merseyside Police has also appealed to the public for help with vital lines of enquiry including any information on the black Mercedes involved in this crime.
Speaking regarding the public response so far, DS Coombs said: "We have had a lot of calls from the public with really important bits of information, I'm really pleased with what the communities have done to help us here. I would just ask that people continue to come forward with information, because even small snippets of information when put together with others can be vital to this sort of investigation."
Today on a damp and dark Saturday afternoon, a community torn apart by a devastating act of violence collectively started its healing process.
Anyone with information can message @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 22000948723.
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