A nine-year-old was shot and killed in her home as she hid behind her mother at bedtime, according to distressing reports.
The Daily Mirror say that Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s mom, Cheryl opened the door to their home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, UK because she heard a commotion outside.
However, a stranger then forced his way into the home, followed by an armed man who opened fire.
As per reports, Cheryl desperately tried to barricade the door as bullets flew into their home. She hit in the wrist; her daughter Olivia in the chest.
The Sun newspaper say the shooting took place as a hitman targeted a local gang rival. The intended target, 35, is said to have been walking past Cheryl’s property with a friend when the hitman began to shoot at him.
Upon hearing the noise, Cheryl opened the door to her home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, only for the 35-year-old man to force his way in as he looked for an escape.
The balaclava-wearing hitman pursued him, firing shots that ripped into Cheryl’s home. Cheryl frantically tried to close the door on him, but he continued to fire. As well as Cheryl and Olivia being struck, the intended target was also hit twice in the body.
According to the Sun, friends of the injured man then showed up, carried him away to a black Audi, and transported him to the hospital. Incredibly, though, they left Olivia to die on the floor, and didn’t stop to check on the family.
The 9-year-old girl was rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital but tragically pronounced dead a short while later.
Luke Korbel, believed to be a cousin of Olivia’s, wrote on Facebook: “What the f***s the world come to ay?
“Would never even think of wishing any of this on me worst enemy.
“The most cleverest 9 year old your going to get, had the brain like an 18 year old she did, most funniest and politest always had a smile on her face we all know you will keep smiling up there, your going to be missed be each and every single one of us you really are, Liv.”
As per reports, the black Audi involved in the getaway has since been seized by authorities. Police are now aiming to identify the gunman, who was wearing a black padded jacket, gloves and a balaclava at the time of the attack.
At a press conference yesterday, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said Olivia’s death “crosses every single boundary”.
She added: “We will not rest until those who are responsible are behind bars.
“Her family are absolutely devastated, inconsolable and heartbroken.
“I know that the murder of Olivia has rocked our communities, who are quite rightly upset and outraged that such an abhorrent crime has occurred here on the streets of Merseyside.
“This is not the time for anyone who knows those responsible for the shooting to remain tight-lipped.
“This is a shocking and appalling attack which will reverberate around our communities, and I want to appeal to anybody who knows who was responsible for this attack to please come forward and give us those names.
“We need to find all who are responsible for this — not just the gunman. We need to find who supplied the weapon and who arranged this terrible incident.”
Rest in peace, little Olivia. Our hearts bleed to hear such tragic news. When will this sort of thing end?
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