Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has joined those around the country reacting to news of a nine-year-old schoolgirl being shot dead in Liverpool.
The nine-year-old child was inside a house on Kingsheath Avenue, in Dovecot, when a man burst in to the property and fired a number of shots. The girl suffered a gunshot wound to the chest before being rushed to hospital, where she died a short time later. A man inside the home also suffered a number of gunshots to his body while a woman was shot in the hand before the gunman fled the scene.
The brutal and senseless killing of the young girl has sent shockwaves around the city and the rest of the country. Sir Keir, sharing a tweet from Wavertree MP Paula Barker, tweeted: "My thoughts are with the little girl’s family, devastating news, for them and their community."
LIVE UPDATES: Schoolgirl shot dead and two others injured
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey also reacted to the news. He said: "The killing of a nine-year-old girl last night is a heart-breaking tragedy for Liverpool and the whole country. I’m sending my thoughts and prayers to her family and friends, the other victims of this senseless shooting, and the whole community."
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was 'absolutely sickened' at the 'senseless loss' of the young girl's life. He added: "An innocent child, with a whole life ahead of her, has not only had her future stolen, but from her entire family too. The heartbreak and pain they must be feeling today is unimaginable, and my thoughts are with them and everyone who knew and loved her.
Mayor Rotheram added: "Exactly 15 years on since our region was shaken to its very core by the tragic death 11-year-old Rhys Jones, this devastating loss of another innocent child's life shows us just how much work there's still to do in the fight against gun crime."
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne also reacted to the news. He said: "Liverpool has today woken up to the heart-breaking news that a nine-year-old girl has been shot dead. Fifteen years after Rhys Jones was murdered, another innocent child of our city has been lost to gun crime. Our communities deserve better. Our children deserve better."
In a statement, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We have launched an investigation following the tragic fatal shooting of a child in Huyton last night, Monday, August 22. Officers attended at a house on Kingsheath Avenue at 10pm after reports that an unknown male had fired a gun inside the property.
"A nine-year-old girl suffered a gunshot injury to the chest and was taken to hospital in a critical condition. She has since sadly died. Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers. A man also suffered gunshot wounds to his body and a woman suffered a gunshot injury to her hand during the incident inside the house.
"They have both been taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries. An investigation is underway and house-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries are in the process of being carried out. A cordon is also in place."
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or call @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1083 of August 22.
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