Two men have been arrested in connection with a savage point blank shooting on a West Derby street.
The victim, a 23-year-old man, was sitting close to a memorial for a murdered friend in Croxdale Road West when he was ambushed, at around 4.55pm on Saturday, July 2. Harrowing mobile phone video footage, captured by a witness, showed the gunman appearing to stand over the victim holding a handgun, before seven loud bangs rang out in quick succession.
He was hit several times in the legs and back, and was driven to hospital by passers-by who dropped him off at A&E before leaving the scene. The gunman was said to have fled the area in a white Seat Leon car.
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Today Merseyside Police announced two men from West Derby, aged 35 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Both suspects are still in police custody.
The force said an extensive investigation is ongoing including CCTV, witness and forensic enquiries. Detectives also say their enquires so far suggest that this was a targeted attack with no wider threat to the local community.
The ECHO understands that the shooting may have been linked to another act of extreme violence nearby on June 14, where a man was left with a horrific slash wound to his face and stab wounds to his leg. That incident occurred at around 1.15am outside shops on Finch Lane, before the victim fled to an address on Altfinch Close via Colwell Road.
Merseyside Police said the force could not comment on any potential link but said it was pursuing "multiple lines of enquiry". Detective Inspector John Mullen, from Merseyside's Firearms Investigation Team, said: “We are progressing in the investigation and pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to bring those responsible to justice.
“Our officers are continuing to patrol the area and we urge anyone who saw something on Saturday afternoon which will assist in the investigation, however insignificant it may seem, to please let us know. I urge people who were in the area but may not have seen anything to please check your dashcam footage and any CCTV that could have they captured something which may be vital to the case."
High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide reassurance. DI Mullen added: “Through information provided by our communities and proactive policing operations and tactics, we have seen a decrease in firearms incidents over the past two years.
“We’re determined to keep preventing them from happening so that our communities can continue to live, work and enjoy going out free from the fear of incidents such as this. If you know anything, please tell us, either directly or anonymously, so we can take positive action and make Merseyside safer.”
Anyone with information or CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage of the shooting incident is asked to direct message the force's social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 22000467138. Anyone with information about the stabbing should use reference 22000410078
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form here.
Do you have any information on these incidents? Email Crime Reporter Jonathan Humphries at jonathan.humphries@reachplc.com or on Twitter at @jhumphriesecho
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