Liverpool shooting: Murder arrest over Olivia Pratt-Korbel's death

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a nine-year-old girl was fatally shot in her own home.

Olivia Pratt-Korbel was hit in the chest as her mother struggled with a gunman at the door of their house in Dovecot, Liverpool, on Monday.

Police said a 36-year-old man from Huyton had been detained after an operation involving armed officers in Merseyside on Thursday night.

He was also arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder.

Olivia was killed after Cheryl Korbel, 46, opened her front door on Kingsheath Avenue at 22:00 BST in response to a commotion outside.

The intended target of the attack, 35-year-old Joseph Nee, was being chased by a gunman.

The men - complete strangers to the family - burst in and Olivia was fatally shot.

Ms Korbel was shot in the wrist as she tried to shut the door, she has now been released from hospital.

Nee, from Dovecot, was shot in the upper body and taken to hospital in a black Audi by a third man.

Once his treatment is completed, Nee will be recalled to prison for allegedly breaching the terms of his licence conditions.

The convicted drug dealer was jailed for three years and nine months in 2018 for burglary.

He was also previously convicted of two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.

Olivia was described by her family as a "unique, chatty, nosey little girl who broke the mould when she was born".

In a statement, they said Olivia "lived [life] to the most she could, and would blow people away with her wit and kindness.

"We as a family are heartbroken and have lost a huge part of our life."

Det Ch Supt Mark Kameen, of Merseyside Police, previously said there was a sense of "disgust" in the city about recent shootings including 28-year-old Ashley Dale who was killed in the Old Swan area and 22-year-old Sam Rimmer who died in Dingle.

Karen Dempsey, 55, was also found stabbed in a pub car park near Kirkby on Monday. Her son has been charged with her murder.

The government has announced it will allocate £500,000 for Merseyside to counter crime and provide mental health support following the killings.

During a visit to Liverpool, Home Secretary Priti Patel said the whole country had been "appalled at the spate of violence".

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told a press conference on Friday the club's "thoughts and prayers are with the [Olivia's] family".

"I cannot even imagine how it must feel - it's absolutely horrible."

Speaking after Everton boss Frank Lampard and team players issued an appeal against gun and knife crime, Klopp said: "We have to realise it is our city so whatever we can do together, we have to do.

"I don't like the moments when [crime] happens, but I like the fact that we are then united and do really support with all we have."

Earlier, former Liverpool striker Ian Rush and ex-Everton player Ian Snodin left flowers in Kingsheath Avenue on behalf of both clubs.

On the flowers from Everton FC, a message read: "RIP Olivia. No words will lessen the pain or explain such a tragedy.

"Our city stands united. Forever in our thoughts."

While a card on the floral tribute from Liverpool FC read: "Rest in peace, Olivia, with deepest sympathy from all of us at Liverpool Football Club.

"You'll Never Walk Alone."

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