A man has been charged with murder following the death of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel at her home in Liverpool last month.
Thomas Cashman, 34, was charged in relation to the crime and has also been charged with the attempted murder of Cheryl Korbel and Joseph Nee, and possessing firearms. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed in a press conference this evening, too, that Paul Russell, 40, has been charged with assisting an offender, according to the Mirror.
The youngster was gunned down by a masked man who forced his way into her family home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, on August 22. The gunman had been pursuing convicted burglar Joseph Nee, who ran into the home’s front door. Olivia's mother Cheryl was shot in the wrist in the incident.
Cashman was arrested on Thursday, September 29. Russell was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender on Friday, September 30. The force has made 11 arrests as part of their investigation into the murder, but this marks the first charge to be brought.
At the time the force said in a press release: “Detectives have arrested at 34-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel on 22 August 2022. The investigation into Olivia’s murder is ongoing and we continue to appeal for people with information to come forward to assist us in bringing those responsible to justice.
“Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.” On Friday detectives arrested another man in connection with the murder. The 40-year-old man from Dovecot was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and was taken to a police station for questioning. His was the eleventh arrest made to date.
Olivia was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital following the shooting but was pronounced dead. The shooter had fled the scene as she lay dying in her mum's arms.
Speaking at Olivia's funeral earlier this month, Cheryl said: “She had an answer for everything. There were many times I was amazed by the answers she would give back. I would have to remind her how old she was.
"Liv was loved and adored by everyone and she will never be forgotten. I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, I love you, see you in the morning.” It comes as the reward offered in the hunt for the killer was increased to £200,000.
“I am delighted with the support of a private donor, Crimestoppers can now offer a record £200,000 for information to catch Olivia's killer.
"A precious young life has been lost so we need every effort to find those involved in this appalling killing." Police also revealed the two weapons used were a .38 revolver and a Glock-type self-loading 9mm pistol.
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