The shooting of innocent nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel as she was gunned down in her own home has shocked the UK.
The youngster was shot in the chest when a gunman, who had no connection to the family, forced his way into her home in Liverpool last night.
The shooter was chasing a 35-year-old man, who had barged into Olivia's house after her mum heard a commotion and looked outside.
The heartless gunman continued his attack after shooting Olivia and her mum by pressing into the home and shooting the man he was pursuing.
Merseyside Police said the killer fired his handgun with "complete disregard" and called on him to surrender to officers.
The force said Olivia's family are "absolutely devastated, inconsolable and heartbroken" following the shooting.
Neighbours paid tribute to the youngster 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.”
Poignantly, the killing occurred on the 15th anniversary of the killing of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, an innocent boy shot dead crossing a pub car park in Liverpool.
Here are the unanswered questions about the killing:
Who is the gunman?
The gunman is still on the run, with a huge police manhunt underway to find him.
Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said the shooter was wearing a black padded jacket, a black balaclava with a peak, dark pants and black gloves.
The gunman fled the scene after shooting Olivia, her mum and the 35-year-old man who fled into the house.
In a direct appeal to the killer, Chief Superintendent Kameen said: "I want that individual to hand themselves in."
Police appealed to Liverpool's "criminal fraternity" for information about the shooter as the youngster's death was "an absolute tragedy and crosses every single boundary".
Who was second man involved in the attack?
Police said the gunman opened fire on two men before chasing one of them into Olivia's home.
The second man appears to have escaped the incident and police are now appealing for him to contact them.
The individual was walking down Kingsheath Avenue with the 35-year-old man - who was later shot.
The gunman opened fire on them as they were walking towards Finch Lane at around 10pm, although he managed to run away.
Chief Superintendent Kameen said: "I also want the second man that was in the street that was with the 35-year-old to hand himself into us or make himself known to us."
Where did the pistol used in the attack come from?
Merseyside Police are also trying to find out where the pistol used in the attack came from.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: "We need to find all who are responsible for this - not just the gunman, we need to find who supplied the weapon and who arranged this terrible incident.
"Forensic experts are at the scene at this moment in time, conducting house-to-house inquiries, and officers are reviewing CCTV footage to establish and identify who is responsible."
The gunman fired at the two men as they were walking down Kingsheath Avenue.
He then blasted Olivia's mum wounding her as she tried to shut the door on him. Olivia, who was believed to be standing behind her mum, was fatally wounded. The shooter then fired a further two shots at the 35-year-old man inside.
Is it linked to Ashley Dale?
Olivia was shot just minutes from where graduate Ashley Dale, 28, was gunned down in her garden 48 hours earlier.
She was killed just a mile-and-a-half away on Sunday.
Ashley was not the 'intended target' when she was fatally gunned down, police said.
Described as a "bright, hardworking" graduate who worked for Knowsley Council, Ashley is thought to have been the victim in a case of mistaken identity.
Why didn't injured man's pals help Olivia?
The 35-year-old man who was injured in the attack was whisked to hospital by his pals after they arrived at the scene.
Police have since seized the black Audi that was used to transport the man to hospital.
Olivia "lay dying" in the home as the group saved their friend, police said.
It was only after police reached the scene that the youngster was rushed to hospital.
