Elle Edwards’s household mark first anniversary of her homicide
- Elle Edwards was tragically gunned to demise on Christmas Eve by gangland thug
Elle Edwards’ household gathered collectively to have a good time Christmas a yr after her tragic homicide by a gangland thug.
Beautician Elle, 26, was shot useless on Christmas Eve 2022 outdoors a pub within the Wirral as she loved festive drinks along with her pals.
She was having a cigarette on the time when she was caught within the crossfire of a gang feud.
Connor Chapman, then 23, fired 12 photographs from a Skorpion pistol into a bunch of individuals outdoors the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey. Five others had been additionally injured within the assault.
Elle Edwards, 26, (pictured) was killed when Connor Chapman fired 12 photographs from a Skorpion pistol into a bunch of individuals outdoors the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey
Elle’s household gathered collectively and celebrated Christmas for the sake of her nephew
Ms Edwards’ father, Tim, celebrates outdoors court docket after Chapman was discovered responsible
Mr Edwards along with his mom and different household outdoors the court docket after Chapman was convicted
Elle’s dad Tim stated the household had been decided to have a good time Christmas for the sake of Elle’s nephew and his grandson.
Tim stated: ‘There has been a variety of blended feelings because the day has bought nearer.
‘There’s apprehension and unhappiness too as a result of Elle will not be right here, however the household will all be collectively on Christmas Day.
‘I’ve my grandson who’s 4 so I’m going to make a fuss of him.
‘Why ought to he miss out over Christmas? He would not know what is going on on or what’s occurred.
‘I wish to try to preserve it as regular as attainable.
Connor Chapman (pictured) opened hearth with a Skorpion sub-machine gun outdoors the Lighthouse
The second balaclava-clad Connor Chapman blasted a crowd outdoors The Lighthouse pub
‘Obviously there might be a time once we sit and have a good time Elle and mirror on what’s occurred and it’ll be unhappy, however we have now to maintain going ahead.’
Chapman, 23, was convicted of Elle’s homicide and jailed for all times with a minimal time period of 48 years in July.
Two ladies and two males are accused of helping an offender and are due earlier than court docket on January 15.
Tim additionally condemned the Lighthouse pub for opening on the anniversary of his beloved daughter’s demise and claimed the pub’s house owners have failed to have interaction with him or different members of Elle’s household.
He added: ‘I feel it is pure greed. I’ve spoken to Greene King and spoken to the landlady who wasn’t very useful and in my view that pub shouldn’t be open. If I had my manner that pub could be gone.
‘Greene King reached out at first and supplied to pay for remedy – that is the one factor they ever did.
Tim additionally condemned the Lighthouse pub (pictured) for opening on the anniversary of his beloved daughter’s demise
Miss Edwards is seen laughing with pals simply moments earlier than Chapman carried out his sickening assault
‘They by no means contacted me personally and the pub has by no means contacted me.
‘I’m the daddy of Elle and her spokesperson they usually’ve by no means approached me.
‘It was terrible what occurred and to place cash forward of respect I discover abhorrent.
‘They wish to make as a lot cash as they will on their busiest night time of the yr they usually’re not bothered about anything in my eyes and I’ve made these emotions clear.’
The Lighthouse pub was open on Christmas Eve however closed early at round 11pm.
Elle’s demise was one in every of a variety of high-profile shootings in Merseyside in 2022 as harmless individuals had been killed by warring gangs.
Tim Edwards speaks to the media outdoors Liverpool Crown Court
Miss Edwards misplaced her life and 5 others had been additionally injured on December 24 final yr
Tim Edwards holds his head in his arms following the responsible verdict of Chapman at Liverpool Crown Court
Ashley Dale, 28, was shot in her house in Old Swan, Liverpool, on August 20.
Olivia Pratt-Korbell, 9, was shot at house by Thomas Cashman as he chased fellow drug vendor Joseph Nee within the Dovecot space of the town.
Merseyside Police stated Skorpion machine pistols, just like the one utilized in Elle’s homicide, have been concerned in 9 crimes since her demise.
Tim continued: ‘Christmases had been at all times hectic, the identical as everybody else, with last-minute buys and me working over to city on Christmas Eve to get all of the last-minute presents.
‘But it was filled with enjoyable and laughter and it is the one time of the yr when you need to all be along with your loved ones and sadly there’s fairly a couple of of us this yr for whom that is not going to occur.
‘I take solace in that I’m not alone and there are different individuals and households in precisely the identical scenario as us.
‘It makes you realise that you simply’re a part of this membership that we did not ask to be in.’
In the run-up to Christmas, Tim has been delivering Christmas hampers to households in want.
Earlier this yr, Tim launched a GoFundMe web page known as Elle’s Army to boost cash to ascertain a basis in her identify.
He joined actor and comic John May on his stroll from Lands End to John O’Groats to boost consciousness of knife and gun crime in Merseyside.
Next yr, he plans to finish a 155-mile ultramarathon throughout the Sahara Desert in Morocco.
In a press release, Greene King stated: ‘Elle’s demise continues to resonate with all of us practically a yr on and our deepest condolences stay along with her household and pals for his or her unimaginable loss.
‘After discussions between our pub crew and the area people, we felt the proper determination was for The Lighthouse to stay a spot for everybody to be collectively as so many individuals had been deeply affected by what occurred.’
