Tributes have been paid to a young girl with a "beautiful smile, a lovely sense of humour and a bubbly personality" after she was shot dead in her home in Liverpool on Monday.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel was killed after a gunman forced his way into her house in Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, at 10pm.
The little girl was shot in the chest while her mum, who was also wounded in the attack, looked on in horror and was heard by locals "screaming for help".
Sadly, Olivia was pronounced dead after being rushed to Alder Hey Hospital.
Police have launched a manhunt for the "cowardly gunman" who charged into the youngster's home .
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.
The headteacher of Olivia's school, St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School in Huyton, has spoken out about the wonderful and bubbly little girl who would always try to help others.
Rebecca Wilkinson said: "Our school community is devastated at the sad loss of Olivia. We are in shock and disbelief at such tragic news.
"Olivia was a much-loved member of our school. She had a beautiful smile, a lovely sense of humour, and a bubbly personality. She was kind-hearted and would go out of her way to help others. She loved to perform and recently participated in the school production of The Wizard of Oz.
"Olivia will be missed greatly by staff and children at our school. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this extremely sad time."
The leader of Knowsley Council, Graham Morgan, paid his own tributes. He said: "I am shocked and saddened to hear about Olivia's untimely and tragic death. She had her whole life ahead of her, and it is hard to comprehend her having it cut short in such terrible circumstances.
"I know that Olivia was a popular pupil at St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School in Huyton. She enjoyed school, had lots of friends, and would go out of her way to help others.
"We will ensure that the staff and pupils at the school are given whatever support they need at such an awful time for them. My thoughts and condolences go to Olivia's family and friends at this very sad time."
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 men, 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."
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.
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