A man in his 20s was shot dead in the street before his killer fled on a bike from the scene.
The emergency service were called out to Newway in the Huyton area just before 5.55pm on Thursday evening following reports of a shooting.
The victim had suffered two gun shot wounds to the chest and was rushed to hospital before dying a short time later.
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Police believe the gunman was on a bike and made off toward Liverpool Road after the shooting.
The victim has not yet been formally identified.
There has been a spate of shootings in the Huyton area over the last few months.
A police spokesman said: "We are investigating following the fatal shooting of a man in Huyton this evening, Thursday 1st July.
"Officers were contacted at just after 5.55pm following reports the man, believed to be in his 20s, had been shot twice in the chest in the street in Newway.
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"He was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
"Work is ongoing to formally identify the man and inform his next of kin.
"An investigation is underway and house-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries are currently being carried out in the local area."
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Caton said to the ECHO : “Merseyside Police is committed to removing guns from our streets as we can see the devastation they cause at first hand. A family have lost a loved one tonight and we are determined we will find the person responsible and bring them to justice.
“The investigation is in its very early stages. What we believe at this stage is that the man was alone in Newway when he was shot twice in the chest by another male.
“We believe the gunman was riding a bike and may have made off in the direction of Liverpool Road.
“The injured male was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead.
“House-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries are being carried out locally to establish the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
“I would urge anyone who witnessed the shooting, saw the gunman leaving the area or has any other information including mobile phone or dash cam footage, which could assist the investigation to contact us as a matter of urgency. Any information you provide could be vital.”
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 789 of 1st July.
