Police searching for gunman who shot girl, 9, dead in 'appalling act of evil'

Residents have been left 'devastated' after a nine-year-old girl was shot dead in her Liverpool home. Merseyside Police have launched a murder investigation following yesterday's shooting, which came 15 years to the day after Rhys Jones was killed in the city.

The girl suffered a gunshot injury to the chest and was taken to hospital where she died. A man also suffered gunshot wounds to his body and a woman suffered a gunshot injury to her hand during the incident inside the house.

People living in Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, and the surround area are reeling from the incident, with one woman saying that the shooting has made her worry for her own children. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, she said: "It's devastating.

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"It can't carry on like this. I have four boys and for this to happen on our own doorstep is shocking. The streets here are always full of kids playing."

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson described the shooting as an 'appalling act of evil' and urged anyone with information to come forward. "15 years to the day that Rhys Jones was murdered, another innocent child of our city becomes a victim to gun crime," she said.

"Has nothing been learned? Enough is enough.

"This is an appalling act of evil. If you know something, you must come forward. Guns have no place in our communities."

Liverpool Wavertree Labour MP Paula Barker added: "It is obviously devastating and it comes 15 years to the day after Rhys Jones was senselessly murdered on the streets of our city as well. It is completely unacceptable and this mindless violence simply has to stop.

"I think, as a city, we come together in adversity