Tributes have been paid to the "lovely and bright" nine-year-old girl who was shot dead - as she was officially named by police.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel died after being blasted in the chest in the Knotty Ash area of Liverpool.
Her mum could be heard ‘screaming for help’ in the aftermath of the shooting.
Police have launched a manhunt for the "cowardly gunman" who charged into the youngster's home and shot her and her mum.
The killer ran through the house and fired a handgun with "complete disregard" while chasing after someone unrelated to the family.
During a press conference today, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: "It is believed one of the injured parties, a 35-year-old man, was being chased by a man armed with a gun who was firing at him.
"The man being chased forced his way into Olivia's house and the offender ran in after him firing a number of shots with complete disregard for Olivia and her family, who had no connection with the gunman or the man who forced his way in.
"Sadly Olivia was fatally wounded when the gunman fired at the man who was trying to get into the house. And her mum also suffered a gunshot to her wrist."
The 35-year-old man being chased suffered a number of gunshots to his body, police said.
Chief Constable Kennedy added that the injured man's friends arrived at the scene and took him to hospital while Olivia "lay dying".
It was only after police reached the scene that the youngster was rushed to hospital.
Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said the gunman burst into Olivia's home after the youngster's mum opened the front door to investigate the commotion outside.
He added: "We believe at around 10pm two men were walking along Kingsheath Avenue in the direction of Finch Lane.
"At that time they were approached by a lone person, potentially a male, who was wearing a black padded jacket, a black balaclava with a peak, dark pants and black gloves.
"They were carrying a handgun. We know this person shot at the two men who were walking down Kingsheath Avenue.
"Both men responded by running away from that person.
"Responding to the gunshots, Olivia's mum appears to have opened the door to her property in order to see what was going on outside.
"One of the man, the 35-year-old man, appears to have seen the door opening and run towards the opening.
"He then forced his way into the property despite the best efforts of Olivia's mum and forced his way inside.
"As that was taking place the person with the gun followed the male to this property.
"They also tried to force entry to the property and managed - it would appear - to put their hand through open door as Olivia's mum continues to try and close it.
"A shot was fired which we believe hit Olivia's mum injuring her and fatally wounding Olivia."
The gunman burst into the home and fired two further shots at the 35-year-old man inside, before finally leaving the property.
In a direct appeal to the gunman, Chief Superintendent Kameen said: "I want that individual to hand themselves in."
He also called on the second man that was shot at in the street to reach out to police.
Olivia's family is the third to lose a love one to gun crime over the past week, police said.
Neighbours paid tribute to Olivia today, describing her as a "lovely and bright" girl.
One resident said: “I’ve known the little girl since she was a baby she was the brightest, loveliest girl. She was an old head on young shoulders and she was absolutely tiny.
“She was born premature and she didn’t look like a nine year old, she was tiny. They’re just a nice normal family, I can’t believe it.
“I’m scared to let my kids out, the gun crime around here is just getting worse and worse.”
Describing what happened, the neighbour added: “It was a run through, they came running through the house after someone shooting and shot the little girl and killed her.
“You could hear it all. Her mum was screaming for help, she came running out into the street and she was banging on the car begging people to help her.
“But no one could do anything, everyone was too scared to come out their houses. The police didn’t turn up for an hour and then the ambulance took a while as well."
The nine-year-old victim suffered a gunshot injury to the chest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, however she later died.
Police previously said a man had suffered gunshot wounds to his body and a woman sustained a gunshot injury to her hand during the incident, which took place at just before 10pm.
They have both been taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reacted to the tragic killing of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Mr Johnson said: "My thoughts are with Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s family and the people of Liverpool following this horrific, senseless shooting.
"This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will ensure Merseyside Police get whatever they need to catch those responsible and secure justice for Olivia."
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It comes 15 years to the day after 11-year-old Rhys Jones was shot dead in Croxteth, Liverpool.
And less than 48 hours after a young university graduate was killed just a mile-and-a-half away.
Ashley Dale, 28, was not the 'intended target' when she was fatally gunned down in a garden shortly after midnight on Sunday (August 21).
Paula Barker, Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, told BBC Breakfast: "It is completely unacceptable and this mindless violence simply has to stop.
"I think, as a city, we come together in adversity and I know people in Liverpool will be absolutely horrified this morning."
Meanwhile, Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson said: "15 years to the day that Rhys Jones was murdered, another innocent child of our city becomes a victim to gun crime.
"Has nothing been learned? Enough is enough. This is an appalling act of evil. If you know something, you must come forward. Guns have no place in our communities."
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to track down the killer.
