Liverpool Showcase Cinema shooting horror as police Taser man after shots fired

Chilling moment cinema 'shooter' enters off licence

This is the chilling moment the alleged gunman responsible for three incidents in Liverpool entered the newsagents, where he threatened a shop assistant and fired off shots.

Police said that around 8pm yesterday, a man entered the News and Booze store (known locally as Sangha newsagents) in Norris Green.

He allegedly threatened the shop assistant and demanded cash before firing off the gun and leaving the store with nothing. Thankfully nobody was injured.

Footage of the lone gunman wearing flip flops enters Sanghas Newsagents Lower House Lane Liverpool The East Lancs Showcase cinema is on lockdown, and the police helicopter is still searching for him pic.twitter.com/0VoMEDiBoV

— *LittleChic (@_Littlechic_) January 3, 2024

Filmgoers found themselves in 'lockdown' as police hunted 'gunman'

Filmgoers, who had headed out to the cinema to enjoy a midweek movie, found themselves in lockdown, forced to stay inside as police hunted a man allegedly behind three shooting incidents in Liverpool.

Instead of enjoying the latest blockbuster hit, visitors and staff at Croxteth's Showcase Cinema, instead were forced into a lockdown after shots were fired outside.

Merseyside Police described the incident as "shocking and distressing" and said it had hit those at the cinema the hardest, along with the shop assistant confronted by the alleged gunman and residents on Malpas Road.

They added: "Officers were on the ground immediately following the first incident and were able to respond swiftly to the subsequent discharges, and a male was identified. located and arrested on suspicion of all three discharges."

Armed police officers were deployed after shots were fired multiple times in Liverpool last night (Liverpool Echo)

Where did the three shootings take place?

The first shooting took place at the News and Booze store (known locally as Sangha newsagents) on Lower House Lane, Norris Green, Liverpool.

After entering the store the man threatened the shop assistant and demanded money before leaving empty handed.

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The scene outside the newsagents overnight

Merseyside Police confirmed shots were fired on Lower House Lane. This was 20 minutes before the incident at the Showcase cinema on East Lancs Road @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/ldui5jUYic

— Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) January 4, 2024

The second took place around one and a half miles away, outside the Showcase Cinema on Stonedale retail park in Croxteth, where more shots were fired, forcing the cinema and retail complex to be put into lockdown after the man fled.

Then, around an hour and a half later, further shots were heard at a property on the nearby Malpas Road.

Police statement in FULL as 49-year-old man arrested

Overnight, Merseyside Police successfully tracked down a man accused of being behind three separate shooter incidents across Liverpool.

Officers said they arrested a 49-year-old man at 4.46am and were forced to deploy a Taser after he became aggressive towards officers. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incidents.

But the "distressing" events impacted the shop assistant, cinema staff and those in the complex who were forced into a lockdown after shots were fired.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson, confirming the arrest, said: "I can report that a 49-year-old man has been arrested following three firearms discharges in the Croxteth and Norris Green areas last night. Thankfully incidents like this, involving a single offender in three separate shootings in close proximity and quick succession, are extremely rare and this is the first time we have had to deal with an incident of this nature on the streets of Merseyside.

The Croxteth cinema was the second of three shooting incidents (Liverpool Echo)

"The shocking and distressing impact these incidents will have had on the shop assistant, the staff at the Showcase Cinema and those filmgoers who found themselves in a lockdown situation in the complex after shots were fired outside the cinema and the residents of Malpas Road cannot be underestimated.

"Officers were on the ground immediately following the first incident and were able to respond swiftly to the subsequent discharges, and a male was identified. located and arrested on suspicion of all three discharges within 13 hours. High visibility patrols will remain in the area to reassure members of the local community.

"Those affected by the incidents can get help from Victim Care Merseyside, who have trained staff who act as a single point of contact for all victims and survivors, offering access to free, confidential advice and support. This includes access to a range of specialist support services delivered by 10 independent local organisations providing bespoke, dedicated care to victims of crime. You can get further information from www.victimcaremerseyside.org.

"Firearms have no place on our streets and we are committed to arresting those involved in gun crime and taking firearms off our streets. I would appeal to anyone who has information about those involved in gun crime, or who knows were weapons are being stored to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 so we can further reduce the harm caused by these weapons in our communities."

"If you saw what happened or have any mobile or CCTV footage of the incidents please contact us as a matter of urgency as you may have information which is vital to our investigation. Any information provided will be acted upon. Information from our community is vital if we are to stop people carrying out such attacks in Merseyside that causes such violence on our streets."

Anyone with footage or information is asked to DM @MerPol or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 928 of Wednesday 3 January.

Timeline of shocking Liverpool gunman incident

• At around 8.30pm police were called to the News and Booze store (known locally as Sanga newsagents) in Norris Green to reports a man had entered the shop around 8pm, threatened the store assistant, and demanded cash before firing a gun and leaving the store empty handed. Thankfully nobody was injured but the shop assistant was left "extremely distressed" by the encounter.
• Just before 8.50pm police received a further call of reports that shots had been fired outside the Showcase Cinema in Croxteth. A man with a gun was said to have entered the cinema complex and threatened two members of staff in the foyer before leaving. When outside, he fired a number of shots in the air and fled in a car.
• Around 10.20pm there were further reports of gunshots heard at a property on Malpas Road but thankfully no one was injured during the incident.
• Then, at 4.46am, police arrested a 49-year-old man from Fazarkerley. After he became aggressive with officers he was a Taser was deployed.

The gunman fired shots outside the popular cinema (Liverpool Echo)

A man has been arrested following Liverpool cinema firearm incident

Merseyside Police confirmed this morning that a man has been arrested following reports that shots were fired in Liverpool overnight.

A 49-year-old man from Fazakerley was arrested by armed officers shortly before 5am this morning. Warrants were carried out at a property in the area and the male was aggressive before he was tasered.

He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Section 1 firearm with intent to endanger life and robbery and has been taken to a police station in Merseyside where he remains in custody.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson, said: "I can report that a 49-year-old man has been arrested following three firearms discharges in the Croxteth and Norris Green areas last night. Thankfully incidents like this, involving a single offender in three separate shootings in close proximity and quick succession, are extremely rare and this is the first time we have had to deal with an incident of this nature on the streets of Merseyside.

"The shocking and distressing impact these incidents will have had on the shop assistant, the staff at the Showcase Cinema and those filmgoers who found themselves in a lockdown situation in the complex after shots were fired outside the cinema and the residents of Malpas Road cannot be underestimated.

"Officers were on the ground immediately following the first incident and were able to respond swiftly to the subsequent discharges, and a male was identified, located and arrested on suspicion of all three discharges within 13 hours.

Police at the Showcase Cinema on East Lancashire Lane in Liverpool overnight (Liverpool Echo)

Police confirm shots were fired at Showcase Cinema tonight

Police confirm shots were fired at Showcase Cinema.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that emergency services are at the Showcase cinema in Liverpool following reports shots were fired this evening, Wednesday 3 January.

"At around 8.50pm, officers received a report that shots had been fired at Showcase Cinemas on East Lancashire Road after a man entered the premises carrying a firearm.

"About 20 minutes before there was an incident at a business on Lower House Lane where a firearm was discharged.

"Armed officers and local policing officers are in the area and members of the public are advised to stay indoors whilst the incident ongoing."

"At this stage no one has been injured.

"Anyone with information which could help the police should call 999. The incident is fast moving and we will provide a further update as soon as possible."

What have Merseyside Police said about this?

The incident happened late tonight and, as such, police have yet to make an official statement.

One of its accounts on X, formely known as Twitter, warned people to stay away from the cinema tonight.

Footage shows police helicopter circle above the area

A police helicopter has circled over the cinema and nearby Norris Green and Croxteth areas of Liverpool.

Merseyside Constabulary has been approached for comment.

Forensic officers put down a number of evidence markers by cinema

Forensics are now at the scene and have put down a number of evidence markers next to the side door of the cinema, our reporter at Liverpool Echo says.

The officers are using torches to inspect the pavement around the cinema.

Showcase Cinema speaks out after the incident

Showcase Cinema has confirmed no one was hurt in the incident at and around the attraction.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware of an incident at our cinema and surrounding area in Liverpool. The safety and welfare of our staff and customers is always number one priority and we can confirm no one was injured.

"We would like to thank our team members and the local police for their swift responses to this active investigation."

Separate reports of a man with a weapon one mile away

Witnesses have claimed seeing a man with a weapon - thought to be a gun - at and outside a newsagents around one mile from the cinema tonight.

The Mirror is trying to verify these claims but at this stage, it is unclear if the two incidents are connected.

We have attempted to talk to staff at the newsagents.

Staff member 'had gun aimed at her'

Craig Moorhead, who was watching Wonka with his daughter, 14, and her friend, said he saw police around the building and were told by a staff member a man “aimed at her with a shotgun”. The 35-year-old dad told Liverpool Echo, our sister title, he saw a large police presence.

Detectives have arrived at the scene

Detectives have now arrived outside the Showcase Cinema in Liverpool.

Pictures shared on X show the officers working behind the police cordon.

Video is taken at the scene tonight

A video taken by our reporter for Liverpool Echo shows the huge police response outside the cinema tonight.

Abigail Nicholson writes on X: "I’m at the Showcase Cinema where there’s a huge police response following reports of shots being fired. This has not yet been confirmed by police and we’re awaiting a statement."