Schoolgirl, 9, dies after being shot in her home in Liverpool

A nine-year-old girl has died after being shot in her home in Liverpool.

The victim was inside a house on Kingsheath Avenue, in Dovecot, at around 10pm last night (Sunday) when a man burst into the property and fired a number of shots, the Liverpool Echo reports. She suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Tragically, she died a short time later, police said. A man inside the home also suffered a number of gunshots to his body while a woman was shot in the hand before the gunman fled the scene.

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Both were taken to hospital. A huge manhunt is now underway and a murder investigation has been launched.

House-to-house enquiries are being carried out as crime scene investigators probe the scene. A large cordon is in place in the area.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which tragically a young and innocent girl has been shot and sadly died. Our thoughts and condolences go to her family and friends at this very difficult time.

"No parent should ever have to suffer the loss of a child in these dreadful circumstances. This crime is abhorrent and our communities must come forward and tell us who is responsible.

“This cowardly individual does not deserve to be walking the streets and I would urge those who know anything to speak to us and tell us what they know so that we can put the person responsible behind bars where they belong. We are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry as a matter of urgency and would ask for dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage from anyone who lives, works or was visiting the area of