Taxi driver could help police solve case of man executed on date with girlfriend
Police are hoping to speak to a taxi driver who was in the area where a 27-year-old man was killed five years ago, as they believe he could help their investigation thanks to what he saw.
Carl Russell was shot dead in front of his terrified girlfriend on October 7, 2018. He was ambushed outside his parents' house in Cornwood Close, Belle Vale, at around 11.30am. The killer, who was on a pedal bike and wearing a high-vis jacket, opened fire with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun as Carl stepped out of his girlfriend's car.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of murder but have since been released under investigation and no one has been charged with murder. Today, on the fifth anniversary of Carl's death, Merseyside Police and the independent charity Crimestoppers have issued a joint appeal for fresh information to unlock the case.
The suspected gunman was on a pedal bike and wearing a high-vis jacket (Merseyide Police)The detectives leading the inquiry, Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye and Detective Inspector Sarah Wilkinson, have also revealed new information about potential witnesses, reports the Liverpool Echo. DI Wilkinson said: "So on the fifth anniversary of his murder, we are concentrating on a number of appeal points. We are really keen to speak to the driver, or anyone who has got information, with regards to a white 53 plate Nissan Primestar van, which we believe was on the estate at the time of Carl's murder.
"We are also hoping to speak to a taxi driver who may have overheard a conversation that day, from a fare who may have information regarding that van. We believe the taxi driver has approached the police at the scene on the day but we have been unable to identify him since."
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Carl was known to police, and had previously served a prison sentence for possession of a firearm, an offence which came to light after he survived another attempt on his life in 2010. According to reports from the time, he was critically injured when two gun-wielding men stormed into his home on New Year's Day.
He had even been shot in the back of the head, but the bullet miraculously glanced off his skull and exited his scalp. After the shooting, officers found a Glock 9mm handgun in Carl's home as well as live ammunition. DI Wilkinson said the force "remained open-minded" about links to any previous shootings.
At the time of his death in 2018, Carl was serving a nine-month prison sentence for dangerous driving, but had been let out on day release, something that has puzzled detectives as few people knew he would visiting his family home. DI Wilkinson said the investigation team remains "open-minded" about how the killer knew when to strike. For his older brother, Chris, that mystery has driven his family "insane".
Chris said: "Over the course of the last five years, we have driven ourselves insane trying to fill in the gaps to make sense of how this happened in the manner it did and still to this day we’ve not found those answers, which is frustrating. When we see other families being torn apart by similar things we are reminded at just how cruel life really is and sympathise with the effects caused from the aftermath.
Carl with his mum Marie and dad Kenny (Merseyide Police)"We would like to thank Merseyside Police for this appeal as it shows us the desire to solve this murder is still something we both share. For us the one thing that's never truly sat right is the planning shown in this murder, as only a handful of people knew that Carl would be visiting his parents' home that Sunday morning. We've never got the answers to fill in the blanks to the questions we ask ourselves every day.
"The death of Carl has affected us all massively as a family and left us empty inside. Hopefully one day we will get justice for his death and pray every day he’s not just another unsolved murder and a life taken far too soon." Carl's family shared a number of other heartrending tributes and appealed for anyone with information to help.
His mum, Marie, said: "Carl loved his family so much. Family life meant everything to Carl. My heart was ripped out that day. The emptiness and pain I feel every day. There is a big hole in my heart and it will never be filled again.
"It's been five years, but it just feels like yesterday. It doesn’t get any easier. I feel it gets harder. I have an emptiness inside me due to Carl’s death that will haunt me every day for the rest of my life."
Carl's sister, Rebecca, said: "He never got to see my children, and only met my niece once. His murderer has taken away my girls’ chance to meet their amazing loving and caring uncle. He was planning to have kids of his own and settle down with his partner but again that got taken away from him."
His other brother, Wesley, added: "It's gut-wrenching to think Carl was robbed of his life at the very young age of 27 and hopefully this appeal can provide some new information that may be able to kickstart this investigation again." DCI Pye added: "In the last five years we have made a number of arrests, but I am still very keen to talk to anyone who was around at the time of the shooting.
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"This incident happened in broad daylight at around 11.30am on a Sunday when there would have been people around. Over the years, allegiances can change and hopefully, a £20,000 reward from Crimestoppers will be a strong incentive for anyone with information to come forward.
Carl was killed in front of his girlfriend (Merseyide Police)
Today is the fifth anniversary of Carl's death (Merseyide Police)"We are particularly keen to speak to a male wearing high-vis clothing and riding a bike who was seen in the area at the time of the shooting. He is described as white, in his late 20s at the time, of medium build, dressed all in black and wearing a high-vis orange jacket, which was dark blue at the bottom and had a reflective band.
"Do you know who this man is? We believe he could have vital information which could assist our investigation and I would urge anyone who recognises him – or the man himself – to do the right thing and come forward."
Gary Murray, North West Regional Manager at Crimestoppers, said: "We know how difficult it can be for people to speak up and pass on what they know, which is why Crimestoppers exists. Our charity, which is completely independent of the police, has always kept our guarantee of 100% anonymity to everyone who contacts us.
"That means no police, no courts, no witness statements. Essentially, when you contact Crimestoppers via our website or call our 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111, once you’re done there is no comeback. No one will ever know you contacted us and your information could protect Liverpool from more harm and help the family and friends of Carl see justice."
Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in the area at the time, or has any information can contact Merseyside Police via 101, the social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook.
Alternatively, to stay completely anonymous and be eligible for the £20,000 reward, contact independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in their secure anonymous online form. The charity's UK Contact Centre is open 24/7 on freephone 0800 555 111 where you can speak to one of their specially trained call agents.
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