Police continue to appeal for information following fatal Christmas Eve shooting in Wallasey

A woman killed in a Christmas Eve pub shooting was shot in the head in what police believe was not a targeted attack.

The 26-year-old was with her sister and friends at the Lighthouse in Wallasey Village on Merseyside when she was shot.

Police were called to the scene shortly before midnight, with one neighbour saying they had assumed the gunshots were celebratory fireworks for the festive season.

Merseyside Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses following the fatal shooting.

Officers were called just after 11.50pm last night (Saturday 24 December) to the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village following reports gunshots had been fired. 

The 26-year-old woman was taken to Arrowe Park hospital with a serious gunshot injury to the head where she was sadly pronounced dead. 

Her next of kin have been informed and her family are being supported by specially trained officers. At this stage it is not believed she was the victim of a targeted attack.

Four men were also taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.

 A 28-year-old man from Beechwood, Wirral, is currently in a critical condition in hospital with a gunshot wound to the body.

In addition a 22-year-old man from Beechwood suffered injuries to his legs, a 24-year-old man from Wallasey suffered an injury to his hand and a 33 year-old man suffered an injury to his wrist. None of the injuries suffered by these men are life threatening.

A murder investigation is underway and CCTV, forensic and witness enquiries have been carried out. High visibility patrols have also been increased and we will have officers proactively carrying out stop searches disrupting anyone involved in criminality in the Wirral area.

A spokesman for the Lighthouse pub said the shooting was “a tragedy beyond any words” while Wirral council leader Janette Williamson described it as “nothing less than despicable”.

Police said they believe the gunman fired shots towards the front entrance of the pub and that minutes later a dark-coloured vehicle “possibly an A class Mercedes” was seen leaving the car park.

Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said:

“No family should have to be faced with this ordeal at any time but at Christmas, which should be a time of peace and celebration, it makes is so much harder to bear.

“Our specially trained family liaison officers are supporting the family at this tragic time and we are determined to find those responsible.

“The investigation is still in the early stages and we are trying to establish a motive and the circumstances surrounding this callous and cold blooded shooting.

“We believe the gunman fired shots at the front entrance to the pub. Minutes later a dark coloured car, possibly an A-Class Mercedes, was seen to leave the pub car park. We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of that car and ask anyone who may have seen it to contact us immediately.

“We will not rest until we find the people responsible for this shooting and I would appeal to anyone who has information or believes they captured something significant on their dashcam, doorbell camera or mobile phone to contact us.

“Our investigation will rely heavily on information we receive from the public and I urge members of the local community, who have any information which could help us, to get in touch so we can bring those responsible for the horrific murder of a young woman at Christmas to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000948723.