Jamie Starkey was only 21 years old when he was shot dead outside his home on Higher Lane in Fazakerley, near Liverpool, over 10 years ago and his unsolved murder has "ripped his whole family apart". He had been collecting presents from his car when he was shot four times in the chest and twice in the head by what police believe was a lone gunman.
Only moments before his tragic death on December 2, 2012, Jamie who's been described as being very "protective" of his family had given his baby sister a hug and promised they would put up the Christmas tree together. A Browning self-loading pistol. which was identified as the murder weapon. was found concealed in a carrier bag in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal by a member of the public in June 2013, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Five people were questioned in connection with the shocking murder over the years but no-one has ever been charged. An entire decade later, justice has still not been brought about for the young man's murder and his killer is still at large.
Merseyside Police said they remain committed to finding those responsible for Jamie's death and bringing justice for his friends and family who are still without answers. Jamie's dad Richard Starkey said the unsolved murder of his son has "ripped his whole family apart".
In an emotional interview, six years after Jamie's murder, Richard told the ECHO: "I ran out and was shouting 'Jamie where are you?' It was raining and it was pitch black, I couldn't see Jamie anywhere. I walked around the car and he was just lying there.
"I just held him and I remember having a white jumper on that was just soaked with his blood. It was just horrendous. I only found out afterwards but my daughter had actually ran to the window and she saw the fella stood there with a gun."
Richard said: "He loved the bones of his little sister and she kept asking him 'when are we putting up the Christmas tree?' He had been out earlier in the day with his mate shopping for Christmas presents and they were in his car outside.
"His mum was cooking him and his mate tea and he said to her 'we will put it up tomorrow when you get home from school'. He gave her a little kiss and a hug as he did and then went outside to his car to get the presents he had bought. Within seconds after that, he had been shot dead."
Richard paid tribute to his son as he described him as a "bubbly", "wonderful" and "quite loud" child who was very close to his three brothers and one sister. As a teen, he was the "life and soul of the party" and found himself dealing drugs after being excluded from school.
When he was 16, Jamie shot notorious drug dealer Daniel Gee, after the gangster terrorised his family for months, and was handed a seven-year prison sentence, which he served in a youth offenders institute. Gee, who was a leading member of Everton's Grizedale crew. was jailed for life for threatening to murder Jamie and buy guns in 2010.
Looking back, Richard wishes he had been "more authoritative" when his son started to go down the wrong paths. He said: "I didn't do enough. I just gave up and I shouldn't have. We didn't know where he was or who he was with. If we could go back 15 years, life might have been a lot different and I wouldn't be sat here now.
"When you pick your son up off the floor in pieces you think, this drug-type culture, 'was it all really worth it?' And it just seems to be happening more and more. If your son or daughter is involved in any sort of drug criminality nip it in the bud now."
He continued: "You don't want to be picking your son or daughter up off the floor. Because that is what happened to me and it was horrible. That is the reality. I can't sleep now, the family is in bits and don't talk to each other, all for greed and all for money. It's not worth it, walk away, get a proper job, be law abiding and live a normal, happier life."
Despite her son's troubling history with Gee and the Grizedale crew, Jamie's mum Debbie previously told the Echo they believe there is another "viable suspect" out with the gang who murdered their son. However, after no new leads by 2018, Richard advised that the only thing he could do now was to warn others to stay away from a life of crime.
Richard said at the time: "I know it's difficult and these people rule with a rod of fear. But if you have any information that can result in the conviction of these evil people I suggest you speak to the police as soon as. We need to stop this happening on the streets, it's not just Liverpool: it's everywhere, it's crazy. You don't want to be in pieces like me and my family are now."
Merseyside Police is continuing to appeal for information ten years on from Jamie's murder. Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: "It is now 10 years since Jamie was murdered, and his family will face another Christmas without answers or any closure of seeing justice served.
"I want to take this opportunity to ask the people in the community for their help with the investigation and that it is not too late to come forward with any information you may have, no matter how small. You may not think that what you saw is important, but it could be a vital piece of the jigsaw that could help the investigation.
"We are determined to find the person, or people, responsible for this. Someone out there will know who did this - it's not too late to search your conscience and come forward now.
"We will ensure that any new evidence or information is closely investigated by officers and could help us make significant progress and help us find justice for Jamie’s friends and family. We remain committed to finding those responsible for Jamie's death and anyone who thinks they can help should contact us directly on 101, by messaging us on Twitter @MerPolCC or you can leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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