Liverpool shooting: ‘Intended victim’ of gunman who killed nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel arrested

Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, was fatally shot in her home in the Dovecot area of Liverpool when the “intended victim” forced his way in an attempt to escape the gunman chasing him on Monday night (August 22).

Det Chief Supt Mark Kameen said the 35-year-old had allegedly breached his licence conditions with “poor behaviour” and had been detained in hospital.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police added: “He will be recalled to prison to serve the remainder of his licence.

“He will be further questioned in connection with the murder and remains in a stable condition.”

The man who entered the family home suffered gunshot wounds to his upper body and, as Olivia lay dying, was picked up and taken to hospital by friends driving a dark-coloured Audi.

He was freed from prison on licence last year, the PA news agency understands, when he was automatically released part-way through a fixed jail term.

The crimes which put him behind bars are not thought to have been firearms-related or involving serious violence, and the alleged breach of his licence conditions is as a result of Monday’s shooting.

He is not believed to have been living in probation-run accommodation, and his case is yet to be referred to the Parole Board, which reviews offenders who are recalled to prison to decide when they can be re-released.

Olivia’s death is one of three fatal shootings in the area in the space of a week, and comes 15 years after 11-year-old Rhys Jones was fatally shot on his way home from football practice in Croxteth, Liverpool.

Officers from Merseyside Police carried out a series of raids targeting gun crime in the city on Wednesday as tributes continued to pour in for the schoolgirl.

The force’s Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said the “shocking” killing “crosses every single boundary” as the force appealed to the “criminal fraternity” in Liverpool for information.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said investigators had received CCTV and names from members of the public.

He told the BBC: “We are receiving CCTV, we are receiving names, we are receiving information. People are telling us where they were and what areas they were in, which is absolutely fantastic.”

Urging the community “to keep helping this family in every way possible”, he said in a further statement: “Our inquiries continue into the shocking murder of Olivia, and supporting her family as they try to come to terms with this tragedy.

“We will do all we can to take all of these involved in gun crime off the streets, as this arrest demonstrates.”

Olivia was at home with her two older siblings when her mother Cheryl Korbel opened the door after hearing gunshots fired outside.

Ms Korbel, 46, was shot in the wrist as she tried to close the door on the gunman while Olivia stood behind her.

The gunman was wearing a black padded jacket, a black balaclava with a peak, dark trousers and black gloves, and had fired shots at two men walking along Kingsheath Avenue, causing them to flee.

Tributes including flowers and teddies have been left near the scene of the shooting amid shock at Olivia’s death.