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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Rachel Hagan

Shocking moment shots heard as innocent woman killed in horror Christmas Eve attack

A video has revealed the horrifying moment gunshots were heard just before an innocent 26-year-old woman was killed and four men were injured near Liverpool on Christmas Eve.

In fresh footage, a woman can be seen asking "is that a gun?" as she sat parked in the pub's car park as the horrific incident took place.

The sound of at least eight shots is also heard in the video outside of the pub she had been in only moments before.

Police said the gunman fired towards the front entrance of The Lighthouse in Wallasey Village, Wirral, at about 11.50pm on Saturday.

Police forensics at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey after a woman was killed in a shooting (Liverpool Echo)

The woman was shot in the head and died after being taken to Arrowe Park Hospital.

Four men were also injured, one of whom, a 28-year-old, is in a critical condition. A 22-year-old sustained injury to his legs, a 24-year-old suffered an injury to his hand and a 33-year-old suffered a wrist injury.

Police at the scene outside the pub (Liverpool Echo)

The tragedy has rocked the village where gun violence is very rare. Officers said the pub was a "busy venue full of young people" and that the gunman's actions "were totally and utterly reckless".

"It's a shock. When we first heard the news this morning that there'd been a shooting in Wallasey, Wallasey Village is the last place you would think of", Jeffrey Hughes, minister of the United Reformed Church in Wallasey Village, said.

Police officers on duty at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village (PA)

Following the shooting, the gunman is understood to have then fled the scene in a dark vehicle, believed to be a Mercedes Benz.

Officers have launched a manhunt for the shooter and say they do not think the deceased woman was targeted.

The Lighthouse pub in Wallasey (Liverpool Echo)

Detective Superintendent David McCaughrean said earlier on Sunday: "This investigation is in the very early stages and we understand that this is a truly shocking and devastating incident that has happened just before Christmas Day in a busy venue full of young people.

"A woman has tragically lost her life at Christmas whilst several people are being treated in hospital and our thoughts and condolences are with the victim's family.

"We believe that the gunman left the pub car park in a dark-coloured vehicle - possibly a Mercedes shortly after the shooting and we are keen to hear from anyone who saw this to contact us immediately."

A local resident, identified only by his first name Phil, said he was watching television at his home when he heard several "loud bangs."

Tributes outside the Lighthouse pub (Liverpool Echo)

"We believe that the gunman left the pub car park in a dark-coloured vehicle - possibly a Mercedes shortly after the shooting and we are keen to hear from anyone who saw this to contact us immediately."

Trying to find words of hope in "such a terrible situation" is challenging, Mr Hughes said.

Police said they will "not rest until we find the people responsible for this terrible, terrible crime."

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