Dad forced to drive past takeaway his son was shot dead by every single day

10 February 2024 , 21:40

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Aaron Lewis was just 26 years old when he was shot dead in Liverpool (Image: Family Handout)

A grief-stricken father every day drives past the spot where his son was shot dead.

Alfie Lewis' son Aaron, 26, was hit by up to eight bullets when he was gunned by Anna Jung's chip shop in Wavertree, Liverpool. Six people have since been arrested - but no one has been charged and the murder probe continues. But Alfie, 62, doesn't believe Merseyside Police have "dug deep enough" to catch Aaron's killer. Alfie and his family; wife and Aaron's mum Donna, 52, and Aaron's siblings Marcus, 30, Kimberley, 24, and 34-year-old Charlene are still fighting for justice seven years on.

Alfie, who is a former world champion kickboxer, planned to get a takeaway from the same chippy on the night on the shooting - February 1, 2017 - and arrived to find Aaron dying. The dad said: "We saw him dying. My wife knelt down beside my son. She said 'please don't go, son. Please don't go, son.'... Too much had happened to his body. That image is embedded in my mind. To see my wife and son like that, it's horrendous."

Aaron, a bricklayer and kickboxing world champion at the age of 11, was rushed to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool after being hit by up to eight bullets but died from his injuries. He was shot seconds after his brother in law, a 19-year-old man, was also shot - although he survived his injuries.

Left to right: Aaron, dad Alfie Lewis, sister Kim Lewis and brother Marcus (Family Handout)

Alfie was working around the corner at the Mushin Kai Freestyle Karate Club when Aaron was shot. Alfie and Donna arrived outside the chippy to see crowds gathered in the aftermath of the fracas. Aaron also left behind three children who are now aged between 16 and seven. Alfie still passes the spot where his son was killed every day on his way to and from work.

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He said: "I still look at the spot where we watched our son die. For a few months, I couldn't pass there without having bad thoughts. Now, I want those thoughts to stay in my head. I feel pain but my pain makes me remember about my son, and pain is love to me. You've got to exist. You try and hold it together."

A 9mm handgun and a .44 calibre revolver, both of which were recovered by police, were used in the attack. The gunman fled in a white Renault van that was found burnt out close to an alley linking Brookdale Road and Ferndale Road, around 15 minutes after the shooting. Two other people may also have been travelling in the van at the time. A handgun used in the shooting was found inside, reports Liverpool Echo.

Aaron pictured when he was younger with his dad Alfie Lewis (Family Handout)

Alfie said his son's murder received a lot of publicity at the time but as the detectives leading the case changed, it received less attention. Alfie said he understands the police are under pressure due to reduced resources and a number of high profile cases taking place in recent years, but he'd like to see a more proactive approach taken.

He said: "Obviously they've got a backlog of things, but my concern is my son. Things move on, for them it moves on, but for us, it never moves on. The police need a certain amount of evidence, how they get that evidence is down to them. I don't think they've dug deep enough."

Merseyside Police said as a force it pro-actively investigates serious organised crime and the case is now subject to a regular review by the serious crime review unit.

In a direct appeal to the public, Alfie said: "Stand up before it's your child who gets taken away from you. Everyone has a responsibility in this environment."

Aaron was a kickboxing world champion at the age of 11 (Family Handout)

Aaron's family gather outside Anna Jung's chip shop each year on the anniversary of his murder to let off balloons and share stories of him. Alfie said: "Everyone gets the chance to share stories and remember him as a human being. He was always up for a laugh and always up for adventures. He was laughing all the time. On that night he got killed outside and the next day he was going to leave town to go down South. He wanted to move from Liverpool with his new girlfriend and start a new life."

Kevin Clague, Head of the Serious Crime Review Unit for Merseyside Police, said: “As a force, we pro-actively investigate serious organised crime including the use of guns and are relentless in our pursuit of offenders. Although we have made six arrests across Liverpool in connection with the murder of Aaron Lewis we know there’s more to be done and our enquiries remain ongoing.

“The case is now subject to a regular review by the serious crime review unit. A murder investigation is never closed and although a considerable amount of time has passed since this murder there continues to be advancements in forensic technology.

“Our detectives will review any information or new developments you share with us so please contact us immediately if you have any evidence that could help us bring justice for Aaron’s family. We know that you may be reluctant or fearful in coming forward, but please rest assured there are special measures we can put in place to support and protect witnesses.
If you have any information please DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111."

Charlotte Hadfield