Police investigating the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool have released CCTV footage of the gunman running away from the scene as they continue their hunt for him.
Merseyside officers have also revealed that two guns were used in the shooting in which her mother Cheryl Korbel and the gunman’s intended target, Joseph Nee, were both injured.
The nine-year-old girl was killed after she was shot by the masked attacker who had chased Nee into Olivia’s family home on Kingsheath Avenue in the Dovecot area at around 10pm on Monday 22 August.
The CCTV video showed the killer running along Finch Lane away from Kingsheath Avenue after the shooting.
He then turned right into Berryford Road and went out of sight.
The gunman climbed through gardens and people’s backyards in order to avoid being identified as well as using roads, according to detectives.
Description of suspect
He wore a black padded jacket, black balaclava with a peak, black gloves, and black trainers with distinctive white soles.
He is described as 5ft 7in tall and of slim build.
In a news conference, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen again appealed for the public’s help in finding the gunman.
He said: “We know there will be people shielding him and helping this man avoid being found by the police.
“It is beyond comprehension how anyone could protect or harbour a man who is responsible for killing a nine-year-old child.
“This man is toxic. He is toxic to our communities and if you are protecting him he is toxic to you and your family.”
The guns
Work by forensic teams and the National Ballistic Intelligence Service has revealed two firearms were discharged at the scene of the killing, according to Mr Kameen.
The detective told reporters the gunman had brought two weapons with him when he “callously ran away from Olivia’s house”.
In a direct appeal to anyone who may have been told to hide or dispose of the guns, Mr Kameen said: “I understand you may be frightened of contacting us, but I want you to do the right thing for Olivia and tell us where they are right now.
“If you are hiding the guns and you have no intention of telling us, then I place you in the same category as the vile man responsible for the murder. And we will hunt you too.”
The attacker fired a shot as he put his hand through the doorway as Olivia’s mother tried to ram it shut.
The bullet injured Ms Korbel in the wrist before it hit her daughter in the chest as she stood behind her mother.
Olivia was taken by police to hospital where she later died.
The gunman also fired two shots at Joseph Nee, who had barged into the property as he was trying to get away. Nee, a convicted burglar, was hit in his upper body and survived the shooting.
Olivia’s medical cause of death was a gunshot wound to the chest, a post-mortem examination found. Her mother is still receiving treatment for her injuries.
Read more:
Vigil in memory of Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Officer pressed Olivia’s chest wound in bid to save her
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Merseyside Police on Twitter or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 22000621096.
People can also pass on information using the major incident public portal website – mipp.police.uk
The investigation
Over the weekend, officers investigating Olivia’s killing released on bail two men who had been arrested and questioned on suspicion of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
They were a 36-year-old man from Huyton and a 33-year-old man from Dovecot.
The 36-year-old has been recalled to prison after breaching the terms of his licence.
Nee will also be recalled to jail for breaching the terms of his release.
As part of their crackdown on organised crime, Merseyside Police said they had recently arrested 349 people, executed 88 warrants, and stopped and searched 942 people.