Liverpool shooting suspect arrested over murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel
A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel after the heartbreaking incident prompted a city-wide manhunt throughout Liverpool.
The murder suspect has also been arrested on suspicion of two attempted murders, Merseyside Police confirmed, and is from the Huyton area of Liverpool.
He was in was arrested after an operation involving armed police on Thursday night and remains in custody being questioned by detectives.
Olivia died on Monday night when a 35-year-old man, unknown to the family, ran into her terraced house in Kingsheath Avenue, in the Dovecot area of Liverpool, in an attempt to get away from a shooter, police said.
(Image: PA)
Her mother Cheryl Korbel, 46, was shot in the wrist as she tried to close the door on the gunman while Olivia stood behind her.
The man who had entered the family home suffered gunshot wounds to his upper body and, as Olivia lay dying, was picked up and taken to hospital by friends driving a dark-coloured Audi.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the shooting as an “unimaginable tragedy” and promised that Merseyside Police would get “whatever they need to catch those responsible”.
The killing happened exactly 15 years after 11-year-old Rhys Jones was fatally shot in Croxteth, Liverpool.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said Olivia had been at home with her two older siblings and mother when Ms Korbel opened the door after hearing gunshots fired outside.
A large police cordon remains in place on Kingsheath Avenue, where Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot inside her home.
A number of floral tributes were left at the scene, along with teddy bears and a balloon.
(Image: Matthew Lofthouse / SWNS)
One message on a bunch of flowers said: “You had so much potential. We will always miss you in class, nobody can replace you.”
The headteacher of St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School, which Olivia attended, said she had “a beautiful smile, a lovely sense of humour and a bubbly personality”.
Rebecca Wilkinson added: “Our school community is devastated at the sad loss of Olivia. We are in shock and disbelief at such tragic news.
“She was kind-hearted and would go out of her way to help others.
“Olivia will be missed greatly by staff and children at our school.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this extremely sad time.”
