An 11-year-boy has died after being shot in the neck in the Croxteth area of Liverpool.
An 11-year-boy has died after being shot in the neck in the Croxteth area of Liverpool.
The incident happened shortly after 1930 BST in the car park of the Fir Tree public house on Fir Tree Drive.
The incident happened shortly after 1930 BST in the car park of the Fir Tree public house on Fir Tree Drive.
A witness said the victim was one of three boys playing football when a teenager on a BMX bicycle fired three shots, one of which hit the boy.
A witness said the victim was one of three boys walking across the car park when a teenager on a BMX bicycle fired three shots, one of which hit the boy.
He was rushed to Alder Hey Hospital but police later confirmed that he had died from his injuries.
He was rushed to Alder Hey Hospital but police later confirmed that he had died from his injuries.
Officers have sealed off the scene, including a neighbouring parade of shops, and no-one has yet been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Officers have sealed off the scene, including a neighbouring parade of shops, and no-one has yet been arrested in connection with the shooting.
'Gangs of youths'
'Ripped apart'
The eyewitness, who did not want to be named but was drinking outside the pub, said a teenager wearing a hoodie rode up to the car park and fired three shots from a distance of about 30 metres from the boy.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne appealed directly to the local community to help catch the killer.
He said: "Someone out there knows who put the gun in his hand and I want your help to get the community to turn that gunman in tonight.
"This is quite an awful crime, quite senseless, and the community holds the clue to solving this crime quickly.
"You can only imagine the heartache of the family that's been ripped apart."
The eyewitness, who did not want to be named but was drinking outside the pub, said a youth aged about 14 or 15, wearing a hoodie, rode up to the car park and fired three shots from a distance of about 30 metres.
One shot missed the boys and another hit a car, while the other bullet entered the victim's neck.
One shot missed the boys and another hit a car, while the other bullet entered the victim's neck.
People came from the pub to help the victim, whose mother was also called to the scene.
People came from the pub to help the victim, whose mother was also called to the scene.
A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said: "We treated an 11-year-old with serious gunshot wounds."
A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said: "We treated an 11-year-old with serious gunshot wounds."
He added the boy was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
He added the boy, who had been returning from football training on playing fields close to the pub, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
'Gangs of youths'
Councillor Rose Bailey, who lives nearby and is a member of the local police authority, appealed for people with information to come forward.
Councillor Rose Bailey, who lives nearby and is a member of the local police authority, appealed for people with information to come forward.
She added: "It sends shockwaves through the community of Croxteth and really it must be devastating.
She added: "It sends shockwaves through the community of Croxteth and really it must be devastating.
"To think your young son is out playing football and then to get a call to say he's been shot, I really don't know as a parent how you would handle that."
"To think your young son is out playing football and then to get a call to say he's been shot, I really don't know as a parent how you would handle that."
The area around the pub was made a "designated area" by police last year, meaning officers could disperse groups and move people away from the area.
The area around the pub was made a "designated area" by police last year, meaning officers could disperse groups and move people away from the area.
The decision was made in response to concerns raised by local residents about youths gathering outside the pub and local shops.
The decision was made in response to concerns raised by local residents about youths gathering outside the pub and local shops.
At the time, Neighbourhood Inspector Louise Harrison said: "The designated area has been introduced in response to concerns about gangs of youths who hang around the local area behaving in an anti social way."
At the time, Neighbourhood Inspector Louise Harrison said: "The designated area has been introduced in response to concerns about gangs of youths who hang around the local area behaving in an anti social way."
Do you live in the area? Did you see what happened or have been affected by this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
Do you live in the area? Did you see what happened or have been affected by this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
