Family 'torn apart' after killer burst into home of woman, 28, and shot her dead

The family of a woman described as a 'shining light' have described how her murder has 'torn' them apart and appealed for justice to be served.

Ashley Dale, 28, was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday morning at her home in Old Swan, Merseyside,. Merseyside Police say they believe she was not the intended target of the attack, which saw her shot by "callous and mindless thugs" in her own home.

Her heartbroken family have spoken out this afternoon, calling Ashley a 'hard working young woman' whose life was ended by a 'senseless crime', reports the Liverpool Echo.

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They said: "Ashley, our girl – our shining light. Our hearts are broken into a million pieces. Ashley was a hard working young woman, who had her entire life ahead of her.

"She had just been promoted at her job with Knowsley Council. She had a degree and so many plans for her bright future that had only just begun. Her laugh, smile and energy was infectious in any room.

"We can’t come to terms with how this would happen to a defenceless woman in her own home. None of this makes sense and our lives will never be the same again. A senseless crime that has torn a family apart. Justice needs to be brought."

Police attended Ashley's house on Leinster Road, Old Swan, at 12.40am on Sunday, after concerned members of the public reported hearing gunshots or fireworks. She was found in the rear garden of the property with gunshot wounds, and later sadly passed away in hospital.

The horrific incident comes four days after the death of 22-year-old Sam Rimmer, who was shot dead in Dingle on Tuesday night (August 16). Mr Rimmer's death was the first murder involving a firearm in