A family has been “torn apart” by the brutal murder of their “shining light” after a gunman burst into a woman's home and sprayed bullets “indiscriminately”.
Ashley Dale was shot dead shortly after midnight on Sunday.
She tragically died aged only 28 with Merseyside Police saying they believe she was not the intended target of the shocking attack.
Now the family of the 28-year-old council civil servant have spoken out and paid tribute to their “shining light”.
In a moving statement, issued via Merseyside Police, the family said: "Ashley, our girl – our shining light.
"Our hearts are broken into a million pieces. Ashley was a hard working young woman, who had her entire life ahead of her.
"She had just been promoted at her job with Knowsley Council.
"She had a degree and so many plans for her bright future that had only just begun.
"Her laugh, smile and energy was infectious in any room.
"We can’t come to terms with how this would happen to a defenceless woman in her own home. None of this makes sense and our lives will never be the same again.
"A senseless crime that has torn a family apart. Justice needs to be brought."
Local police received reports of gunshots around 12:40am Sunday and officers found Ashley in the rear property of the garden in Old Swan, Liverpool.
She was rushed to hospital but tragically pronounced dead shortly later.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, head of investigations at Merseyside Police, said that the force did not believe Ashley was the target of the attack.
He told The Liverpool Echo: "Ashley lived there largely on her own, and what we know at this time is that the front door of that property was forced open by the offender or offenders outside.
"A firearm was then indiscriminately discharged on multiple occasions inside.
"Ashley was inside, exactly where she should be, enjoying her Saturday evening and Sunday morning, and she was hit by one of those shots.
"That proved fatal despite the very best efforts of Merseyside Police and then the North West Ambulance Service.
"Merseyside Police is incredibly shocked, both to have this crime and the fact is a second firearms discharge homicide in such a short space of time.
“We are supporting Ashley's family as I am sure the communities recognise, and our thoughts go out to her mum, dad and wider family at this incredibly difficult time."
Merseyside Police appealed to anyone with any CCTV, dashcam, doorbell camera or any other type of footage which may assist the investigation into the death of Miss Dale is urged to upload it directly to Merseyside Police using this online portal.
You can also contact the force via social media @MerPolCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000615873.
