A man has died after being attacked in the city centre as his devastated family beg for justice.
Duncan Browne was assaulted in the early hours of Sunday morning by a gang of three men before being left injured on Hanover Street.
The 23-year-old, from Kirkby, was rushed to hospital but suffered a cardiac arrest and died on Monday surrounded by his family.
READ MORE: Family 'desperate for answers' after attack death
Now his loved ones are seeking help to find who is responsible for his death, while paying tribute to the aspiring firefighter.
In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a man assaulted in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of Sunday 4 July sadly died today (Monday 5 July).
"Duncan Browne, 23, from Kirkby passed away earlier today with his family at his bedside.
"At around 3.40am on Sunday, police received a report from North West Ambulance Service that Duncan had suffered a cardiac arrest after being assaulted by a group of three men during an altercation on Hanover Street at 3.29am.
"It was alleged he was punched by the offenders outside City Buffet restaurant before collapsing.
"The offenders are reported to have left the scene in a blue and pink coloured Hackney cab."
Police arrested a 37-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of Section 18 assault on Monday before Duncan died.
He is in custody being questioned by detectives and has now been further arrested on suspicion of murder.
Duncan’s family issued the following tribute as they appeal for people with information on his attackers to come forward.
They said: “We are asking for anyone who was in the vicinity of the taxi rank on Hanover Street around this time who may have seen anything whatsoever that can help our family get justice for our Duncan to inform the police.
“Duncan was a hard-working boy from a loving and compassionate family who had ambitions to be a firefighter to serve his community.
“If anyone knows anything that can help identify the cowards who took Duncan's life, please do the right and just thing and let the police know.”
A team of detectives are working round the clock conducting enquiries to trace the offenders, and anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is urged to contact police.
Officers are particularly keen to speak to any taxi drivers who were at the nearby Hackney cab rank on Hanover Street or were travelling past, in case they have vital dashcam footage.
Drivers can upload dashcam footage to be viewed by police via the NICE website: https://unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk/merseyside/appeal/21000465224
Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to DM @MerPolCC or message Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook, quoting reference 21000465224. You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or contact them via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
