Chilling moment cinema 'shooter' brandishes gun in off-licence before firing

04 January 2024 , 09:56

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This is the chilling moment an armed man accused of wreaking havoc across Liverpool last night entered an off-licence with a massive gun.

Overnight the city was thrown into chaos as armed officers desperately tracked down a man accused of being behind three separate shooter incidents. The first took place at an off licence, then at a nearby cinema before the final the gunshots were reported from a residential road.

Shortly before 5am, police arrested a 49-year-old man and used a Taser to take him in. CCTV footage from the News and Booze (also known as Sangha newsagents) in Norris Green has since emerged, showing the moment the gunman entered wearing flip flops.

The footage shows the man, wearing a green hooded jacket, black trousers and flip flops, entering the newsagents. He’s carrying a large rifle-like black gun and is pointing it across the counter at the shop assistant. He then turns the gun to one side and fires a shot off in the shop before leaving. Thankfully no one was hurt in the incident that unfolded around 8pm yesterday evening.

Afterwards, the alleged gunman travelled less than a mile and a half to the Showcase Cinema. They entered the foyer around 8.50pm and pointed the gun at two staff inside, one of who was said to have been left unable to speak out of terror.

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The alleged gunman then went outside and let off more shots, leading to armed police rushing to the scene and the cinema being thrown into lockdown. Around an hour and a half later, there was a third and final report of gunshots on Malpas Road

But officers later arrested a 49-year-old man from Fazakerley at 4.46am when warrants were carried out at a property. They were forced to use a Taser after the man was said to have become aggressive.

Chilling moment cinema 'shooter' brandishes gun in off-licence before firing

The gunman threatened the shop assistant and demanded money before letting off one shot and leaving

The hooded man wore flip flops during his reign of terror

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.

Police at the newsagents in Liverpool overnight (Liverpool Echo)

"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

The second shots were fired at the Showcase Cinema in the area (Liverpool Echo)

"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.