People living close to the scene where shots were fired said they were in a state of shock over what took place.
At around 9.45pm yesterday (Monday), armed officers were called to Hillside Road in Huyton to reports of shots being fired near to Longview shops.
Despite extensive enquiries by police, nobody has been confirmed as injured.
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This morning a large police cordon surrounded the scene, which was centred on a row of shops along Hillside Road. A number of police vehicles and Matrix vans were parked up at the scene.
The shops - including a One Stop, barber's, dental practice, and pharmacy - all remained closed today as crime scenes investigators combed the area.
Hillside Road is part of a densely populated residential estate in Huyton. However the area remained eerily quiet today as police carried on their work.
People living in Astley Road, which backs on to the crime scene, described their shock.
One woman said: "We heard four bangs which at first we thought were fireworks.
"Then we realised they were gunshots. It's absolutely disgusting. You're scared to bring your kids up around here."
Another said police came knocking on their door shortly before midnight to ask if they had any CCTV.
She said: "I heard a bang, it must have been around 9.30pm. I thought it must have been something at the back of the shops.
"We were locking up when we saw all the police outside, then heard the police helicopter. That's when we knew it must have been a gunshot.
"At that time only the chippy would have been open and we could hear police speaking to them.
"The shops can be busy day and night and the kids are out later as it's the school holidays.
"We've not lived long in the area and this is the first time we've seen it taped off, so we knew something serious must have happened.
"It's not nice, it's frightening."
Another resident said: "It's not good seeing all this right outside the front door. It's an estate, so things happen."
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Smith, who leads the Firearms Investigation Team, said: "A full investigation is underway following last night's shooting, which was a reckless act in a public place, and like any such incident, could have had catastrophic consequences.
"I want to assure all of those in the community, who may be understandably shocked by this incident, that our initial enquiries suggest that it was a targeted attack. Thankfully, it also appears that nobody has reported as being injured."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via @MerPolCC on Twitter or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook, with reference 21000571880.
You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or contact them via their online form here.
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