Police have said they will be 'relentless' in their investigations of the fatal shooting of Elle Edwards. The 26-year-old had been enjoying Christmas Eve celebrations with friends at a pub when she was shot in the head.
An investigation was launched on December 24 after the beautician was shot when a gunman opened fire at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village. She was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Merseyside Police said two people were taken into custody on Monday to be questioned in connection with the shooting. A 30-year-old man from Tranmere was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, while a 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry was been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
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In a new statement released on Tuesday evening (December 27), Merseyside Police chief constable Serena Kennedy said the force had been working round the clock on the murder investigation and to establish what led up to the 'sickening' incident on Christmas Eve.
She said: “We are absolutely committed to finding those responsible for the callous and cold-blooded murder of 26-year-old Elle on Christmas Eve and our hearts go out to Elle’s family and friends. Elle was doing what any member of the community should be able to do on Christmas Eve – simply enjoying herself with friends and her sister and celebrating the festivities.
"As a mum of two girls, who are a similar age to Elle, I can’t begin to comprehend what they are going through right now, but I do know that they will carry the heavy loss of Elle for the rest of their lives and there will always be a major part of their lives missing.
“Detectives are continuing their investigations and they will be relentless in their work to establish what led up to the incident on Christmas Eve and who was responsible for this sickening and heart-breaking incident, which has ruined so many lives and culminated in the loss of a beautiful young woman.
“On Christmas Day morning I went out to Wallasey Village to speak to officers and members of the public and I witnessed first-hand the devastating impact this has had on people in Wallasey Village. The use of firearms, violence and intimidation has no place in our communities, and sadly we often see firearms being used to resolve petty and pathetic issues.
"These people are cowards, who think the only way to resolve an argument is through violence, they don’t have the strength or resolve to work things out and stop things from reaching such an ugly and devastating conclusion. Anyone involved in arranging this shooting, pulling the trigger and supplying the gun deserves to see every Christmas from behind bars .
"We will be relentless in our commitment to find justice for Elle and her family. I urge anyone who has any information about those responsible for this horrific shooting at a crowded local public house to stop and think of the heartache and pain that has been caused, and if you know who did this, do the right thing and let us know.”
Tributes have been paid to Ms Edwards following her death, who was remembered as a 'special daughter' and someone who brought 'laughs and happiness' into people’s lives. Flowers and other tributes were laid at the scene of the shooting, which also left one man in a critical condition and saw three others suffer non life-threatening injuries.
Merseyside Police went on to urge anyone with any information, dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage to contact the force and report it. Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000948723.
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