Liverpool murder: Yusuf Sonko shot in 'targeted attack'

Merseyside Police Yusuf SonkoMerseyside Police
Yusuf Sonko, from Toxteth, was found injured on Tagus Street

An 18-year-old man who died after being shot in Liverpool was the victim of a "cold-blooded, targeted attack", police have said.

Yusuf Sonko, from Toxteth, was found on Tagus Street, Toxteth, at about 20:30 BST on Friday.

He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination found he died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

His family said "his cheeky smile and charisma could light up any room".

They said Yusuf was "kind, loving, and intelligent. His memory will live on in our hearts forever."

Det Ch Supt Paul Richardson said detectives are "out to establish any potential motive".

Police search the area
Police search the area where Yusef Sonko was found

Det Ch Supt Paul Richardson said CCTV footage from the area will be examined but "someone somewhere knows who has done this and I ask them to search their conscience and do the right thing and give us the information".

The shooting follows two gun attacks in Seaforth and Fazakerley where two men were hurt in "linked" attacks in their homes.

Mr Richardson said the attacks "clearly show that organised criminals still have ready access to firearms despite extensive work undertaken by Merseyside Police".