Shots were fired where "children play and dog walkers walk daily" in what has been described as a "targeted attack".
Merseyside Police officers rushed to Finch Way in Knotty Ash at around 9.45pm on Monday, August 8, following reports of a shooting. Shots were reportedly fired from a dark-coloured car in the direction of a man on an electric bike.
A cordon was immediately put in place, covering Finch Way and parts of Dunchurch Road, and remained in place on Tuesday morning as officers carried out their enquires. Residents were unable to access the play area and field on Ackers Hall Avenue, directly opposite Blueberry Park Primary School, as that too was cordoned off.
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Families woke to several police officers around the cordon on Tuesday as they say they fear for their own children and grandchildren. One worried mum said: "You just don't know what's going to happen next."
A woman on her way to work, who wished to not be named, said the field is "well-used" by children and dog walkers daily.. She added: "It's scary to think what has happened and what could happen. It's a nice area, everyone gets on and children love to play."
Police confirmed there were no reports of anyone being injured at the time, but enquiries with local hospitals were ongoing. The car was reportedly driven away towards Finch Lane and the bike ridden towards Princess Drive.
One resident, who lives within the cordon, was out walking her dog on Tuesday morning but was unable to go across the field. She told the ECHO that between 9.30pm and 10pm she heard "five loud bangs" originally thinking it was "fireworks".
She said: "I knew it wasn't fireworks because I couldn't see them, you usually see the flash and them going up, but I looked and it was really loud. I couldn't see anything but heard the police coming about 10pm. I just knew it had been a gun or something.
"It's so scary to think this is happening on your own doorstep and so close to a park. It's awful to think of something like this happening here, thank God no-one was injured."
Another resident, who lives on Finch Lane, said he received a text message to say "there had been a shooting" but was "surprised" due to the area being a "really nice place" to live. Other residents, nearby to the cordon surrounding the park, said they too heard "what sounded like fireworks" until they saw the police presence that evening.
Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has any information about what happened is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 with reference 1087 of 8th August. You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.
Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton said: “It is despicable to think that those offenders who carry firearms think it is acceptable to use them in a residential area such as this. At this stage there are no reports of any injuries but it is extremely reckless to shoot a weapon on any street at any time of day.
“I know the community in Knotty Ash will be shocked and disappointed to hear this has happened so close to home. I want to reassure them that we will leave no stone unturned as we seek to find out exactly what took place and vitally, who is responsible for bringing gun crime to their streets."
He added: "added: “We are in the very early stages of an investigation into this incident and are appealing to anyone who was in the area shortly before 9.45pm and witnessed the incident, saw the car the offenders were believed to be driving, or the electric bike they appear to have targeted.
"If you saw anything or anyone suspicious please come forward, as any information you have could be vital to our enquiries. Similarly, if you were driving in the area and have dashcam footage please review it and let us know if you see anything that may assist our enquiries.
"At present we believe this was a targeted attack and we have a visible police presence in the area to reassure residents and assist with our investigation. Firearms have absolutely no place on the streets of Merseyside and we are committed to removing them and the people who choose to carry them. It is essential that we get all information from those communities who are left feeling the impact of gun crime, so we can bring those responsible to justice.
"Speak to us directly or anonymously and we will take firm action to remove dangerous weapons from or streets and put those who use them before the courts."
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