The case of a helpless dad who was gunned down outside his place of work remains unsolved nearly 17 years on.
Dad-of-one Stephen Lloyd was shot at as he sat in his Renault Kangoo van outside MWM Services on Redfern Street, Bootle, at around 5.10pm on Thursday, July 13 2006. The 25-year-old, who was shot a number of times in the chest, tried to drive the few yards back into his workplace to get help from his colleagues but died moments later.
Gunshots rang out along the street and nearby workers rushed to the scene where they found Stephen's body in his van with the windows blasted out. It is believed his killers lay in wait, knowing he would be leaving work.
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The masked gunman and his accomplice escaped from the scene in a white Ford Transit van. Minutes later they dumped and torched the van in nearby Bedford Street.
The ECHO previously reported the murder was an apparent gangland hit. In the following weeks Merseyside Police raided a number of properties in north Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley. However the raid's proved fruitless.
In the following years Merseyside Police arrested a total of 12 men in connection in the ongoing investigation. Detective Superintendent Ian Kemble, who was leading the investigation at the time, said a number of positive lines of inquiry were being carried out, but the force could not find evidence to charge anyone in connection with the helpless dad's murder.
In July 2010 Merseyside Police released CCTV which showed the suspects fleeing away from the torched car and heading towards a white Volvo on Kings Road. The car was seen driving in the local area in the weeks before the horrific shooting.
However, despite the re-appeal for information, no one came forward with anything definitive. DS Kemble said Stephen's family "have still had no closure and cannot rest until those responsible are brought to justice."
And sadly, nearly 17 years on, Stephen's family are still waiting for justice. With the seventeenth anniversary of his death approaching, the ECHO asked Merseyside Police for an update into the investigation.
Merseyside Police told the ECHO detectives have followed a number of lines of enquiry over the years, but have been unable to charge anyone with his murder. A spokesperson for the force said: "Seventeen years is a long time for a family to go without answers.
"Stephen’s death remains an ongoing investigation and we would pursue any new lines of enquiry. There are no time barriers to coming forward with information.
"If you know something about Stephen’s murder and haven’t yet spoken to us then I would ask that you come forward and tell us what you know. Your information may be the vital piece of the jigsaw to allow us to get his killer off the streets and finally get justice for his family.”
Anyone with information can DM @MerPolCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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