Two shootings took place across Merseyside in less than 24 hours.
The first took place on Saturday, December 3, Woodchurch Estate, in Wirral. People in the area said they heard "gunshots and screams" at around 8pm, when a man was shot in the leg.
Witnesses say the victim had been stood in the street, on Orrets Meadow Road, when the gunman opened fire. The victim, in his 20s, was then seen being "dragged" through people's gardens by someone looking for shelter from the shooting.
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The suspect allegedly left the scene on a "moped," shortly before police arrived. Police confirmed the shooting victim is still in hospital, in a serious but stable condition. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Less than 12 hours later, another shooting took place at around 5.55am on Sunday, December 4, in Stockbridge Village. A car was shot at while it was driven along Steers Croft.
It is believed that the suspect, who was riding an electric bike, pulled up alongside the car and fired multiple times. Neither of the car's occupants were injured, and they were able to drive away to safety.
A large cordon was put in place at the scene of both shootings, with Merseyside police confirming investigations were launched.
Merseyside Police chief inspector Rob Ross said: "We are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry in the local area to help us understand what has taken place."
A witness to the Woodchurch Estate shooting told the ECHO: "We heard two shots, separated by a scream, before an engine revved and the shooter took off. We kept clear of the windows, turned off the lights and took refuge upstairs.
"Someone banged on the door, which we ignored. I went outside and saw the victim and his friend sitting in one of my neighbour's gardens. The victim was putting pressure on his leg.
"His friend had dragged him through our garden and into our neighbours, hitting doors to try and get attention or refuge. The police arrived about a minute later. They stabilised him and took him off in an ambulance half an hour later, and taped the road off."
Speaking about the Stockbridge Village shooting, Merseyside Police chief inspector Rob Ross said: "We are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry in the local area to help us understand what has taken place.
"Thankfully the occupants of the car were not injured but clearly this could have had much more serious consequences.
"Guns have no place on our streets and I would urge anyone with information which could assist our investigation to contact us as a matter of urgency so we can find the person responsible.
"I would ask any taxi or delivery drivers who were in the area at around 6am today to check their dashcams to see if they captured anything suspicious and notify us immediately."
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