Children returning to school for the first day of the new term walked past hundreds of floral tributes to Elle Edwards.
The devastated community in Wallasey Village continued its collective healing process this morning as children returned to school days after Elle Edwards' senseless murder. The 26-year-old, described by her family as "special" and "beautiful", was shot in the head at the Lighthouse pub shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve.
The beautician had been celebrating her sister's return from Dubai with friends when a gunman sprayed a hail of bullets into a crowded area outside the pub. Elle was not the intended target, detectives believe, and four other men aged between 22 and 33 were also wounded in the incident.
READ MORE: Elle Edwards killer 'lay in wait' outside pub 'for an hour' before shooting spree
On New Year's Eve the Wallasey Village community gathered at the Holy Apostles and Martyrs Parish Church to remember Elle. The community rallied around Elle's mum and extended family who courageously gathered to lead proceedings by lighting a candle in memory of the popular woman.
Parish priest Canon Philip Moor, who has been the community's priest for 13 years, told the ECHO: "The local community has been extremely shocked, saddened and devastated by it all. There is still a sense of disbelief that something like this could happen in the midst of our community. The local community is hurting and we're all questioning why? But we are a close and tight knit community and we are pulling to help support Elle's family and each other at this time."
This morning marked Wirral children's first day back at school following the Christmas holidays. Children attending St Mary's Catholic College, next to the parish church and just yards from the Lighthouse pub, walked past the hundreds of tributes left for Elle. A wall outside the pub, which is still closed following the shooting, is covered with flowers and personal messages of love and support to Elle.
St Mary's Catholic College encouraged the community to gather at the parish church on Saturday afternoon. And a school spokesperson added: "We continue to pray for Elle, her family and all those who have been affected by this terrible incident on Christmas Eve."
The ECHO revealed this morning that the gunman waited in a Black Mercedes in the pub carpark for around an hour before opening fire. A source with knowledge of the incident said Elle was outside the front entrance near the other victims when she was shot. The other victims managed to retreat into the safety of the pub. Merseyside Police declined to comment on the claims.
So far two men, aged 30 and 31, and a 19-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with Elle's murder. The 30-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, was released under investigation but also recalled to prison for breaching his licence. The other two suspects, both arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, have since been bailed pending further enquiries.
Police yesterday thanked the public for providing "almost 150 pieces of intelligence" including information on "wider tensions" in Wirral. The police are still keen for information, particularly on the whereabouts of the Mercedes and the murder weapon.
Last week Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs, who is leading the investigation, sat beside Elle's heartbroken dad, Tim Edwards, at a Merseyside Police press conference.
Reading a statement on behalf of Elle's dad and wider family, DS Coombs said: "She was only just getting started. Christmas and our family will never be the same again without her. She was the glue that held this big family together, from all of us. We will love and miss her forever. Our Elle May, the most beautiful and bright star out there, forever and always."
Information in relation to the case can also be passed via 101, DM @MerPolCC or by contacting @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
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