Gunman 'close to child' as he fired shot - police

The gunman fired a single shot at a man in his 60s as a very young boy stood immediately next to him

A man was shot by a gunman who pulled the trigger as he stood close to a small child, police have said.

The victim, who is in his 60s, was hit in the leg on Simonswood Lane, Kirkby, at about 20:55 BST on Monday.

A 41-year-old man from Kirkby was arrested on Tuesday morning on suspicion of wounding and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He has since been released on conditional bail.

'A line that has been crossed before'

Det Ch Insp Phil Atkinson, from Merseyside's Firearms Investigation Team, described the shooting as "deplorable".

"It goes without saying that the consequences of the offender pulling the trigger so close to a child and other adults could have proved unimaginably tragic," he said.

The detective said the force was "keeping an open mind" on the motive.

In August 2022 nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was murdered when drug-dealer Thomas Cashman opened fire on a rival in Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot.

Supt Karl Baldwin, head of Knowsley Local Policing, said the shooting represented a "line which has been crossed before".

"In Merseyside, we know all too well the devastation gun crime can cause", he said.

"We have seen families torn apart by grief and communities rocked.

"We are sure that the vast majority of people in Kirkby will share our disgust that a lethal weapon has been fired outside a family home, with a child in close vicinity."

Supt Baldwin urged anyone with information to get in touch with the police or with Crimestoppers.