A man killed in an horrific attack in Bootle was shot dead with a crossbow.
A Home Office post mortem revealed the victim, in his 30s, died as a result of bleeding “due to a deep penetrating wound to abdomen consistent with a crossbow discharge”.
The crossbow has been recovered by police probing the Monfa Road murder .
A 41-year-old man from Bootle was still in custody this morning after being arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday morning.
Bootle murder victim lived on street near to where he was found
Detectives last night arrested a second man on suspicion of murder, a 49-year-old who is also from Bootle.
All parties involved are believed to have known each other, police have said.
News of the further arrest and cause of death came as parents were forced to walk their children to school through the murder scene this morning.
A large swathe of Monfa Road remains cordoned off, more than 24 hours after a man was found with injuries that proved to be fatal.
A blue and white forensics tent remained outside the front of a Monfa Road home on Tuesday morning.
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A green tarpaulin sheet covering part of the pavement and road outside the property could also be seen.
The centre of enquiries was protected by a series of police cordons, each manned by officers in patrol cars.
Most of Monfa Road between its junctions with Linacre Lane and Province was cordoned off.
Access was also restricted to Aughton Road from its junction with Sefton Road.
Those living inside the scene were being asked to give their details as they passed through the cordons this morning.
Several parents walking their children to school were among those allowed to pass under the police tape.
Police found the victim, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, after patrols were called to Monfa Road at 1.55am on Monday following reports of an ‘altercation’.
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The man, who is in his 30s, was found in the street with what were then viewed as life-threatening injuries.
He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead, and a suspect was arrested at the scene.
The tragedy has been described as “an appalling act of violence”.
Appealing for information on Monday, Detective Chief Inspector Gayle Rooney said: “We’re currently in the very early stages of the investigation into this incident and it is vital that anyone with information that could assist our enquiries gets in touch.
“This is a truly shocking crime which has occurred in a residential area, and a man has tragically lost his life in an appalling act of violence.
“You may have witnessed part of the incident or suspicious behaviour in the area and any information, no matter how small, may prove vital to our investigation.
“Likewise, if you have any CCTV or dashcam footage, please contact us.”
* Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police’s social media desk via Twitter (@MerPolCC) or Facebook (Merseyside Police CC). They can also call 101, quoting incident reference 19100224604, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. The charity also has on online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information .
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