A murder suspect was arrested in his pyjamas as police raided homes over the death of a man gunned down in Netherton.
Miguel Reynolds was shot in a daylight attack just over a year ago, the 21-year-old suffering a fatal bullet wound to his neck.
Six people were arrested on suspicion of his murder - and conspiracy to rob - in a significant development in the investigation this morning.
Police teams struck at two homes in Sefton, arresting men at both just after 8.30am.
The execution of a warrant at a Litherland home resulted in police detaining a man who was led outside in his pyjamas.
Three further suspects were produced from prisons on Merseyside and a further man from a jail in the West Midlands.
Two are aged 20, with the others 21, 24, 26 and 30.
They are all now set to be questioned by murder squad detectives.
The operation came just days after detectives appealed for information on the one year anniversary of Miguel's murder.
On June 7, 2018, he travelled from Manchester, where he lived, to Netherton. Detectives believe the trip was to buy a car.
He was met by a gang of at least four males and is thought to have been the subject of a robbery on Marie Curie Avenue.
A handgun was fired in that incident. Moments later on nearby Assissian Crescent the same gun, which has not been recovered by police, was fired again.
That shot killed Miguel, an aspiring rapper who had released a music video in the weeks before his death.
A friend he had travelled with escaped uninjured but was said to have been left "traumatised" by what had happened.
Police have not recovered a vehicle in connection with deal Miguel thought he was making.
Before today 13 people had been arrested in relation to the investigation, though no-one had been charged.
Key police appeal points included for anyone who may have seen males, some on foot and some riding mountain bikes, in the area of the Harrops Croft estate and the canal path shortly after 8pm on June 7 to contact them.
Detectives also wish to speak to anyone who saw a small fire and males in the area of the sports field adjacent to the Harrops Croft estate shortly after 8pm.
It is believed the fire was lit to destroy evidence , including clothing, connected to the murder.
Commenting after the arrests, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Warlow said: "Last Friday marked one year since Miguel Reynolds was killed in Netherton and an extensive investigation remains ongoing as we continue our activity to trace those involved in this tragic murder.
"Today’s raids are just one tactic we are using to disrupt and bring to justice those involved in criminality and I hope this type of activity reassures residents of this area that we are taking action and will continue to do so."
The police operation was welcomed by Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's cabinet member for communities and housing.
She said: “Our communities in Netherton were deeply shocked following the murder of Miguel Reynolds last year and we’ve been working closely with the police ever since the tragic incident to provide reassurances that the safety of our neighbourhoods remains a priority for us."
*Anyone with information about the murder of Miguel Reynolds is asked to contact Merseyside Police on Twitter (@MerPolCC), by calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
