Police make two more arrests over killing of Olivia Pratt-Korbel who was shot dead in her own home: Man, 34, is held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and 41-year-old is arrested for assisting an offender
- A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Liverpool today
- Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, was shot in the chest while hiding behind her mother
- A man fleeing a gunman had forced his way through the front door in a bid to flee
- A 41-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender
A 34-year old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in connection with the killing of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Merseyside Police said today.
A second man, 41, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
They were arrested in Runcorn, in the south west of Liverpool, in the early hours of this morning.
A 34-year-old man from Liverpool has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He is in police custody where he is being questioned by detectives.
The nine-year-old was shot in the chest by a balaclava-clad gunman, who was chasing a former heroin dealer released from prison on licence, who had barged into her home in the Dovecot area of the city in a suspected gangland feud.
The killer was in pursuit of 35-year-old Joseph Nee, who forced his way into the house after noticing Olivia’s mother, 46-year-old Cheryl Korbel, had opened the door to see what was going on outside.
The gunman fired into the house hitting Olivia, her mother Cheryl in the wrist, and the fleeing 35-year-old in the upper body.
A 41-year-old man from Knowsley has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and is also in custody.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, was shot dead in her own home after a gun chase spilled over into her family’s house
Merseyside Police previously released footage of this individual who they believed to be the shooter
It is understood that following the shooting, associates of Nee took him to hospital in a car – leaving little Olivia behind.
Police said officers scooped up Olivia and rushed her to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the back of a police car, but the nine-year-old was pronounced dead one hour later.
Officers previously shared CCTV footage of two men they wanted to trace in connection to the tragic incident – one of whom was in the area at the time, while the other was sought as a suspect.
Detective Chief Superintendent and Head of Investigations, Mark Kameen, said: ‘I continue to urge anyone who has information that can help our investigation into Olivia’s tragic murder to please come forward so we can bring those responsible to justice.
‘A number of people have been arrested in respect of this investigation. However, we still need the public’s help in ensuring that we can a build a strong evidential picture so justice is served for Olivia and her family.
‘With this, I appeal for those who may have information, no matter how small, that could continue to help our inquiries to contact us directly or anonymously and we will do the rest.
‘The investigation into Olivia’s tragic murder is ongoing and we still need to build up a strong evidential picture so that we can bring those responsible to justice.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
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