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.