Horrified readers have called for tighter controls after two shocking crossbow incidents in the space of one week left the city reeling.
Merseyside Police launched a murder investigation after 38-year-old Lee Gerrard Atkins died in an 'appalling act' of violence in the early hours of Monday, May 6.
Mr Atkins was found severely injured in Monfa Road just before 2am, with a Home Office post mortem revealing he died of abdominal bleeding after being shot with a crossbow.
The crossbow was recovered by officers and two men arrested on suspicion of his murder remain in custody this afternoon.
This horrifying street murder was the second shocking incident involving a crossbow in the space of a week, after a two-year-old girl was seriously hurt in her own home.
The young victim was at her home on Oakhouse Park in Walton when the weapon was discharged, just after 2pm on April 30.
Mr Atkins' death stirred up fresh calls for tighter controls on crossbows, with angry ECHO readers sharing their disgust at two incidents in such a short space of time.
Kirsty Lorren Talbot said: "Poor lad and his family. Second incident with a crossbow this week!"
Shirley Martin Best said: "No licence needed for a crossbow - anyone can buy one. Lethal weapons."
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Commenting after a two-year-old girl was rushed to hospital following a crossbow discharge in her own home, Patricia Dwyer said: "According to the government you do not need a licence for a crossbow. Disgusting.
"You need a licence for a TV or you can be fined or get jail if you don't have one - what is wrong with this bloody country?"
Georgina Surridge asked: "Why on earth can anyone buy a crossbow legally?!"
Donna Smith said: "This is why a licence is needed for this type of weapon."
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The results of a Home Office post mortem revealed Mr Atkins' death was the result of abdominal bleeding "due to deep penetrating wound to abdomen consistent with a crossbow discharge".
Forensics officers continued to examine the scene outside a home on Monfa Road today.
A blue and white evidence tent was erected outside a property, with a green tarpaulin also protecting a nearby section of road and pavement.
Much of Monfa Road was cordoned off this morning, with parents forced to walk their children under police tape as they led them to school through the murder scene.
A 41-year-old man from Bootle was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene, while a 49-year-old man, also from Bootle, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday night.
Both remain in custody. Detectives believe all parties involved in the tragic incident were known to each other.
The girl who was injured in her Oakhouse Park home was taken to hospital and officers seized the crossbow for it to be forensically examined.
No one was arrested or formally questioned in the immediate aftermath of the incident, with one of detectives' lines of enquiry that the girl may have been injured in an accident.
