Olivia Pratt-Korbel shooting: How the horror unfolded, what the police have said and how you can help

Liverpool is heartbroken today as the city comes to turns with the tragic killing of nine year old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

On Monday evening, nine-year-old Olivia was shot and killed when a gunman forced his way into her home in Knotty Ash.

She is not believed to have been the intended target, with the attacker chasing a 35-year-old man to the house and firing with “complete disregard” for its inhabitants.

Despite being rushed to a children’s hospital by police, Olivia died of her injuries in what officers have branded a “shocking and appalling” crime.

Timeline of events that led to Olivia’s death

– At about 10pm, a gunman in dark clothes and balaclava fires at two men walking in Kingsheath Avenue

– Olivia’s mother, Cheryl, opens her front door after hearing the shots. One of the men, 35, runs to her and pushes his way inside to escape

– He is chased by the gunman, who puts his hand through the doorway as Cheryl attempts to ram it shut

– The gunman fires into the house. A bullet passes through Cheryl’s wrist and hits Olivia, who is standing directly behind her, in the chest

– He fires twice more at the man before fleeing on foot through the front door

– The man, who has been repeatedly shot in his upper body, is collected by friends in a black Audi. They take him to hospital as the mother and daughter lie wounded

– Police officers arrive at the house and rush Olivia to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where she dies

– Cheryl is taken by paramedics to Aintree Hospital and treated for her gunshot wound

What have Merseyside Police said:

At the police briefing earlier today Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said:

“As the Chief Constable has just said, detectives are currently investigating the abhorrent murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Dovecot last night.

“My intention now is to go through the details as we understand them at this time.

“We believe that at around 10pm last night, two men were walking along Kingsheath Avenue from the direction of Finch Lane, when they were approached by a person on foot. That person was wearing a black padded jacket and a black balaclava with a peak and black gloves. The individual was approximately 5ft 7in tall and slim build and was carrying a gun.

Forensic officers near to the scene in Kingsheath Avenue, Knotty Ash, Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

“From what we know, this person shot at the two men in the street who then ran off.

“At this time Olivia’s mum, Cheryl, opened the front door to see what was going on outside and one of the men ran over to the house and forced his way in. As Cheryl tried to close the door against him, the gunman had gained ground and force his arm, holding the gun through the door, and fired a shot which is believed to have struck Cheryl and then Olivia.

“The attacker continued to push themselves in to the property and fired two further shots at the man who had been chased.

“He then backed out of the address, ran back onto Kingsheath and fled.

“A dark Audi car arrived with minutes and picked up the injured man and took him to hospital for treatment, leaving Olivia and Cheryl injured in their home.

“Cheryl was taken to Aintree Hospital where she was treated for a gunshot wound to her arm and sadly Olivia was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where despite the best efforts of medical staff, she died soon after.

“We have an experienced team of detectives who will be working day and night on this investigation and we are committed to finding the person responsible.

“But as the Chief has already said, we need the public’s help and support.”

How can you help

An appeal has been launched to find the killers of Olivia.

If you have CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage that could assist you can go to the dedicated appeal page on the Merseyside Police website and upload that footage, which will go straight to the investigation team.

Anyone with any information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or call @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1083 of 22^nd August.