Two men held over Liverpool shooting released on bail

UK

Two men held over the fatal shooting of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool have been released on bail.

Police arrested a 36-year-old man from Huyton and a 33-year-old man from Dovecot on suspicion of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Both have been released on bail and the 36-year-old has been recalled to prison after breaching the terms of his licence.

In an update on Saturday afternoon, officers said they “still need people to come forward”.

Detectives are trying to “build up a strong evidential picture and bring those responsible to justice”.

Officers were seen carrying a door away from the murder scene on Saturday.

Merseyside Police is continuing to seek information about a car.

“We are still appealing to anyone who saw a black Audi Q3 in the days leading up to the shooting, or has any information about its movements after leaving Kingsheath Avenue on the night of the shooting,” the force said.

It is also looking for CCTV, dashcam, and smart doorbell footage, which can be submitted online via mipp.police.uk.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson wore a shirt an Anfield on Saturday with the message: “RIP Olivia, YNWA” (you’ll never walk alone).

Earlier, detectives warned that “silence is not an option” and they “need names”.

They also want to ensure there is “no hiding place for anyone involved” in the killing of Olivia.

A local councillor told Sky News that grief in the community has turned to “anger” over the shooting on Monday night.

Olivia was shot after a gunman chased his intended target, who has been named as 35-year-old convicted burglar Joseph Nee, into her family home in Dovecot. Her mother Cheryl, 46, was injured in the shooting.

Harry Doyle, assistant mayor of Liverpool, told Sky News: “The community are clearly going through the stages of grief. We feel it.

“Initially it was shock, now it’s very much anger, and you feel that.

“(There is) anger about lots of things but ultimately we want to find the right people (responsible).”

Councillor Doyle said he had not seen reluctance from the community in coming forward with information.

He told Sky News: “People have come forward with information since day one – and they’ve come forward in their droves.

“I know the police have been really impressed with the amount of people who have come forward with information.”

On Saturday morning, Merseyside Police tweeted: “A simple request – share this far and wide, to everyone you know, and ask them to share if further still, so that there’s no hiding place for anyone involved in the murder of little Olivia. We need names. Silence is not an option.”

Anyone with information is asked to message @MerPolCC or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.