Probe after woman dies in Blackburn suspected shooting

The woman was found on King Street at about 15:00 BST

A woman has died after a suspected shooting near a supermarket in Blackburn.

Officers were called to reports a woman had been found "unresponsive" after gunshots were heard at about 15:00 BST.

Armed officers remain on King Street, close to Lidl, where she was discovered, Lancashire Police said.

The woman, who is believed to be a 19-year-old from Blackburn, was taken to hospital but later died.

Lancashire Police said it was reported that a vehicle, thought to be a light coloured or metallic green Toyota Avensis, was seen leaving the scene.

A car matching that description was later recovered and officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen the vehicle to contact them.

Det Supt Jonathan Holmes said: "This is a truly shocking and senseless killing, which has robbed a young woman of her life.

"Although the victim has yet to be formally identified, we believe she was a young woman from the local area.

"Her family have now been informed of her death and they are understandably utterly, utterly distraught."

He added that he understood people may be reluctant to come forward, particularly if they had been breaching lockdown rules, but that the force's immediate concern was to find out what happened.