news

Family of woman, 26, left ‘devastated’ and ‘inconsolable’ after fatal Merseyside pub Xmas Eve shooting

Published 15:30 25 Dec 2022 GMT

Updated 16:31 25 Dec 2022 GMT

Steve Hopkins

Family of woman, 26, left ‘devastated’ and ‘inconsolable’ after fatal Merseyside pub Xmas Eve shooting

Home news

Get our Pub Quizzes and latest news straight to you by clicking here »

Four men were also injured, one remains in a critical condition

The family of a 26-year-old woman shot in the head at a Merseyside Pub on Christmas Eve are "devastated" and "inconsolable" following her death, according to reports. Police on Sunday made a further appeal to the public to help them catch those responsible for the Lighthouse Inn pub shooting in Wallasey Village on the Wirral shortly after 11.50pm. Four men were also injured - one of them critically. A 22-year-old man received leg injuries, a 24-year-old man sustained a hand injury, and a 33-year-old man suffered an injury to his wrist - none of these injuries are thought to be life threatening - police said on Sunday. Merseyside Police's assistant chief constable Jenny Sims told a news conference that the actions of the gunman were "totally and utterly reckless". Detective superintendent Sue Coombs added the gunman fired shots through the front of the Lighthouse Inn before making off in a dark vehicle, possible an A-Class Mercedes Benz. In a statement the pub called the shooting "a tragedy beyond words". "All our thoughts are with the friends and family of our customers and in particular our hearts go out to the family of our customer who has lost her life," the statement continued. "We are completely shocked by this and were expecting to host a number of people for Christmas Day meals, but sadly this is no longer possible." The MP for Wallasey, Dame Angela Eagle, described the news as "heartbreaking" and urged anyone with information to contact the police. https://twitter.com/angelaeagle/status/1606940878735802369 She tweeted: "My thoughts are with the family of the woman who has died and those who are injured." Merseyside Police said the woman was out with her sister and friends and they believe she was not targeted. The force said the woman was shot in the head. Officers said the pub was full of people and the gunman's actions "were totally and utterly reckless". The gunman fled in a dark vehicle, believed to be a Mercedes. Detective Superintendent Dave McCaughrean, of Merseyside Police, earlier said: "This investigation is in the very early stages, and we understand that this is a truly shocking and devastating incident that has happened just before Christmas Day in a busy venue full of young people. "We have a number of officers at Wallasey Village who are carrying out extensive inquiries to understand exactly what has taken place and take immediate action." He added that a woman had "tragically lost her life at Christmas whilst several people are being treated in hospital, and our thoughts and condolences are with the victim's family". McCaughrean urged anyone who was in the Lighthouse in Wallasey Village on Saturday night who witnessed the incident or has mobile or CCTV footage of what happened "to contact us as a matter of urgency as they may have information which is vital to our investigation". He said police believe the gunman left the pub car park in a dark-coloured vehicle - possibly a dark-coloured Mercedes, shortly after the shooting, "and we are keen to hear from anyone who saw this to contact us immediately". Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1044 of Saturday 24 December. Related links: