A woman who was tragically killed by a gunshot to the head in a shooting on Christmas Eve was out celebrating with family and friends and "not targeted", according to police.
The attack on the 26-year-old took place in the car park of the Lighthouse Inn near Liverpool, with officers from Merseyside being made aware of gunshots around 11.50pm.
Officers rushed to the scene and the woman, who had been there with her sister and friends, was rushed to hospital, but sadly did not survive, reports the Mirror.
There were four other casualties from the incident, all men, with one of them, a 28-year-old, currently fighting for his life in hospital.
The other three men, aged 22, 24, and 33, all suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said today at a press conference.
The gunman was reported to have fired at the front of the pub in Wallasey Village, from a dark coloured A-Class Mercedes - before being driven off by a man.
Police said the female victim was completely innocent and had simply been out celebrating Christmas like much of the country, when she was tragically killed.
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “Tragically, the victim, a 26-year-old woman, had suffered a serious gunshot injury to her head. She was taken to Arrowe Park hospital but sadly passed away shortly afterwards.
“Her family have been informed and on today, which should be a day with friends celebrating, they are coming to terms with this tragic loss.
“It’s very early stages of the investigation but we do not believe that the victim in this case has been targeted. She was out enjoying Christmas with her sister and friends at what should have been a peaceful time. What her family is now going through is incomprehensible."
One neighbour thought the gunfire was Christmas fireworks. Jenny Hough, 77, said: “I heard the shots … I thought it was a firework actually, because it was nearly midnight. I just thought it was people celebrating midnight on Christmas Day.
“I couldn’t believe it. When I looked outside I thought ‘Oh crikey’. It’s a complete shock. My sister’s garden had been broken into. We suspect it was people trying to get out of the pub and trying to climb over the wall and into her garden to get out.”
Ms Hough said she had heard the pub had been busy on Christmas Eve, and said there was a large police presence limiting entry to the apparent crime scene on Christmas morning.
She added: “I’ve got people here opening their presents at the moment and they’ve all had to give their names and addresses and everything to the police before they could come in.”
Management of the Lighthouse Inn said in a statement on Facebook: "Last night there was a tragedy beyond words in our pub’s car park.
"All our thoughts are with the friends and family of our customers and in particular our hearts go out to the family of our customer who has lost her life.
"We are completely shocked by this and are also truly sorry that we can no longer go ahead with our Christmas Day bookings today.
"We are contacting everyone who had a booking with us to give a full refund. It is sadly too short notice for us to make any alternative arrangements for today but as well as the refund we will also offer a replacement Christmas meal in the New Year free of charge to everyone who was expecting to be with us today.
"We have provided the police with CCTV footage and our priority is supporting everyone who has been impacted. Take care everyone and please look after each other, the team at The Lighthouse".
Wallasey MP Dame Angela Eagle said the incident was “heartbreaking” and appealed for anyone with information to contact police.
She tweeted: “This is heartbreaking news – My thoughts are with the family of the woman who has died & those who are injured. Anyone with any information please tell the police.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims praised the response from people present at the shooting, as they came forward with information, and dubbed the shooting "callous".
Police have combed the scene throughout Christmas Day, with forensic officers in white suits seen scouring the car park.
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