Olivia shooting: murder arrest
Night swoop picks up 36-year-old suspect at flats
ARMED police hunting the killer of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel have arrested a 36-year-old man in a night raid.
The suspect from Huyton, Merseyside, was held after a swoop on flats. The man was detained on suspicion of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
It is understood he was not the only resident in the flat who is being sought by police. Police blocked the road entrance late on Thursday night.
Specialists were later seen carrying evidence bags and forensic suits up a stairwell.
One local said: “We saw armed police, all in black with balaclavas on and machine guns. I think it was coming to an end when I saw them because they were putting the battering ram back in the car.”
One woman said: “I saw armed police looking up at the windows. I’m disabled and I phoned my son to come round because I was frightened.”
Another resident said: “My partner stepped outside and was told to go back in by police. I told him to stay away from the windows in case shots were fired.”
Olivia’s shocking murder happened at 10pm in Dovecot, Liverpool on Monday.
Her mum Cheryl Korbel, 46, heard a bang and opened her door.
Convicted burglar and drug dealer Joseph Nee, 35, barged inside in an effort to escape a gunman shooting at him.
The mother battled to shut the door but the gunman managed to get his arm around and fired a shot which hit Cheryl in the wrist before striking Olivia in the chest.
Nee, who was hit in the torso and legs was later picked up by friends in car, leaving Olivia dying. Detectives released an image of a dark Audi Q3 yesterday.
Police rushed Olivia to hospital, but doctors could not save her. Officers believe the incident is linked to organised crime.
On Thursday Olivia’s heartbroken family described her as “a unique chatty” little girl – and appealed for people to speak out if they had any information about her killer.
Olivia’s killing is one of three fatal shootings in the city inside a week. Sam Rimmer, 22, and Ashley Dale, 28, were both shot dead in separate incidents.
Flowers and teddies have been laid near the scene of Olivia’s tragic death.
Home Secretary Priti Patel visited yesterday as she announced more funding to tackle serious crime in the region. Ex-footballers Ian Rush and Ian Snodin, club ambassadors for Liverpool and Everton, laid floral tributes. And Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said the death was a “tragedy”.
He added: “This is our city. Usually we like to say ‘this is LFC city’ or ‘Everton city’, but in these moments we have to realise it’s our city.
“Whatever we can do together, we have to do it. I don’t like the moments that it happens.
“But I like the fact we are then united and support with all we have.”
A fundraiser for Olivia’s funeral has already collected more than £28,000.