Police investigating the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool have said two guns were used in the shooting as they released CCTV of the gunman running from the scene.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said on Thursday that the gunman brought two weapons to the scene and he “had them with him at the time of the attack”.
“I believe at this time that the gunman brought both of these weapons with him and that they were still with him when he callously ran away from Olivia’s house. I want to know where those guns are now,” he said.
“You may have been told to hide them or dispose of them – 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.
“I would repeat the fact that the actions of the person who carried out this cold blooded attack do not command loyalty in any way, shape or form and Olivia’s family need to know that everyone responsible for her murder have been caught and convicted.
“So I ask you again – where are those guns now? There are people out there who know where they are.”
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The nine-year-old was killed after she was shot by a masked attacker who had chased another man into her family home in the Dovecot area at around 10pm on Monday 22 August.
The gunman fired a shot as he put his hand through the doorway as Olivia’s mother, Cheryl Korbel, 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 inside the home at his intended target, Joseph Nee, who had barged into the property as he was trying to get away. Nee was hit in his upper body and survived the shooting.
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.
Footage of suspect running away from scene shared
During a police briefing on Thursday, Detective Kameen said the investigation has made “tremendous” progress and thanked the public for their help, adding that the police have received names from the public.
“I’m going to show you some footage of a man that murdered Olivia.
“I’m doing this because people may recognise what he is wearing, it may also help people remember seeing him in the area on the night that Olivia was murdered and thereby help us trace where he is and where he went.
“This shows the gunman running along Finch Lane away from Kingsheath Avenue, which is, of course, where Olivia lived.
“We then see him turn right into Berryford Road and go out of sight.
“We know this man is climbing through gardens and through people’s backyards in order to avoid being identified, as well as using the roads.”
He said that the gunman was wearing a black hooded jacket, black balaclava with black gloves and black trainers with distinctive white shoes and is described as 5ft 7in tall and of slim build.
According to Detective Kameen, the gunman was pictured running along Finch Lane away from Kingsheath Avenue – the road where Olivia lived.
He then turned right into Berryford Road and went out of sight, climbing through gardens and people’s backyards in order to avoid being identified.
“We know there will be people shielding him and helping this man avoid being found by the police,” he said.
“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.
“I want you to place the loyalty that you have to you families before any loyalty you have for this man. I want information as to where he is now.”
