Tributes have poured in after the "senseless" loss of an "amazing young man" in a street shooting this week.
Sam Rimmer, 22, was shot in the chest in Lavrock Bank, Dingle, on the evening of Tuesday, August 16. Merseyside Police say Mr Rimmer was with a group when the gunman opened fire from the back of one of two electric bikes, believed to have been carrying four men in dark clothing.
Witnesses described hearing a series of around five loud bangs, and an anonymous 999 call came in at 11.40pm. Emergency services attended and Mr Rimmer was rushed to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, but despite the best efforts of paramedics he was pronounced dead on arrival.
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It is not clear whether Mr Rimmer, who lived in Bootle, was the intended target of the shooting. Since Mr Rimmer was identified the public have shared their condolences and memories of the young man, who several people referred to as "little man".
Posting on the ECHO facebook page, Jade Theresa wrote: "R.I.P Sam!! you was such an amazing lad and such a character, thinking of your family at this horrible time."
Angela Findlay-Pollard posted: "R.I P. SAM. My heart goes out to all the Rimmer/Carroll family, such a dreadful crime that took the life of a wonderful young man. So heart breaking."
Danny James Starr wrote: "Your life has been cut way too short bro I'll never forget you mate and how much of a good kid you was."
Lisa Morris added: "RIP little man Sam you really did not deserve this thinking of your mum nan and brother fly high up there." Mikey Carter also used the nickname, adding: "RIP little man forever young brother got so many funny memories you'll never be forgotten."
Clair Kitson posted: "Rest in peace little man gone too soon fly high all the lads are devastated you will be missed so much."
Renewing police appeals for information this afternoon, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, head of investigations at Merseyside Police, said: "This was a despicable attack which led to the death of a young man who had the rest of his life ahead of him. That life has tragically been cut short and his family are desperately trying to come to terms with their loss.
"We need to find those responsible and I would ask members of the public who may have information which could help us bring those people to justice to put themselves in the shoes of Sam's family and think about what they are going through and the pain this has caused them.
"Detectives are carrying out extensive enquiries and have completed house-to-house inquiries. We now have to build up an evidential picture to understand the circumstances leading up to the incident and we can't do that without the help of the public. If you live in the area, or were passing through at about 11.40pm on Tuesday you may have seen something that could be vital for us and I would urge you to get in touch.
"Similarly, if you were in the Dingle and Toxteth areas and have dashcam, CCTV or ring doorbell footage please check it and let us know if you see anything, as this could be vital in putting those people before the courts and getting justice for Sam's family. We have a dedicated portal on our website where footage can be downloaded and it can be accessed by using this link Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)
"Alternatively, anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1259 of 16 August."
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