Woman fatally shot in head at Merseyside pub was out with friends and ‘not targeted’

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

A woman who was shot dead at a Merseyside pub on Christmas Eve was out with her sister and friends and police believe she was not targeted. Officers are hunting a gunman after the 26-year-old died and four men were injured at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village on the Wirral shortly after 11.50pm. Police said the woman was shot in the head. One of the injured men remains in a critical condition. 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. Merseyside Police's assistant chief constable Jenny Sims told a news conference on Sunday 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. The pub called the shooting "a tragedy beyond words". In a statement reads: "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. "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. She tweeted: "My thoughts are with the family of the woman who has died and those who are injured." https://twitter.com/angelaeagle/status/1606940878735802369 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:

• Woman who discovered nude photos of herself on stepdad's computer convicted of murdering him
• Police fatally shoot woman who was holding Walmart employee hostage
• Rapper Tory Lanez found guilty for shooting Megan Thee Stallion
• Man who vanished in 2013 found dead in New York with new name
• Police start digging for 70 bodies after daughter claims her dad is a serial killer
• Police flooded with messages from swooning admirers after sharing mug shot of drugs suspect
• Teens tried to steal judge's £15,000 motorbike from court despite guards, gates and CCTV
• Man who shot Lady Gaga's dog walker jailed for 21 years
• 'America's Unknown Child' identified solving mystery after 65 years
• Dad who was jailed for almost two years for running burglars off road 'blown away' after £92,000 raised for legal fees