Armed police swooped on a Bootle street this evening to reports a man was seen with a gun.
Officers wearing protective gear and carrying semi-automatic rifles descended on Queen's Road just after 6.40pm
They were seen entering at least one property on the street following a 999 call by a member of the public.
The scene is just a mile away from Hawthorne Road where a house was shot at on Monday night by the passenger of a motorcycle.
One neighbour said: "I was putting my bins out tonight and then I noticed there were four police cars in the road.
"I didn't hear anything but I wouldn't be surprised if it's linked to another shooting.
"There's a cordon in place across Queen's Road, we're not too far from Hawthorne Road where shots were fired on Monday."
It is not yet clear if the two incidents are linked.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "At around 6.40pm, officers were called to Queens Road following reports a male had been seen allegedly in possession of a firearm."
On Monday a woman in the area told the ECHO that she heard a motorbike speed away from the scene after hearing a loud bang.
The shooting happened on Hawthorne Road at the junction with Benedict Street, at around 5.15pm.
She said: “It sounded like a car backfiring, a loud bang, and then I heard the motorbike fly down the road.”
Police said that the rider of the motorbike was wearing a black helmet and that the pillion passenger was dressed all in black but was not wearing a helmet.
Detectives found one bullet casing at the scene but there is no evidence of any injuries or damage to any property.
Chief Inspector Jay Crellin said: “Our investigation into this incident is in its very early stages, and I appeal to anyone who was in the area and saw or heard anything to speak to us so we can piece together exactly what happened and bring the offenders to justice.
“This happened in daylight, at peak hour and on a busy road, and we believe it is very likely the offenders or part of the incident itself would have been captured on dashcam or CCTV.
"We urge anyone who was in the area at the time to consider whether they may have footage that could help our investigation, and get in touch.
“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously, the incident itself, or someone making off on a motorbike or on foot, come forward.”
“I want to reassure the community in Bootle that we will act on all information we are given to find the person responsible.
“We share your determination to keep the community safe and ask that you help us to make sure those responsible for this incident are taken off the streets.
“Call us directly, or via the charity Crimestoppers, which is completely independent of the police, and what you tell us will be handled with sensitivity.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101quoting incident reference 19100382007or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information .
