Detectives have vowed the murder of Jamie Starkey has not been forgotten as his killer continues to walk the streets.
The 21-year-old was shot dead in a ruthless attack outside his Fazakerley home in December 2012.
Police said the passing of time would not prevent them from exploring any new information that could lead to a breakthrough.
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Jamie was shot six times outside his Higher Lane family home on the night of December 2, 2012.
He was collecting presents from his car when he was attacked by a lone gunman who struck just moments after Jamie had made plans to decorate the Christmas tree with his little sister.
Five people have been questioned in connection with his murder in the years that followed the attack, but no-one has been charged.
And Jamie’s family have clearly stated they believe the shooting was not linked to a notorious drug dealer Jamie had shot in reaction to what Liverpool Crown Court heard was a persistent barrage of threats and attacks.
A significant breakthrough was made in August 2013, eight months after Jamie was shot.
A rusty gun pulled from the Leeds-Liverpool Canal was identified as the weapon used to kill him.
The Browning self-loading pistol was pulled from the water close to Brewery Lane, Melling, by a member of the public in June of that year and forensic tests later confirmed that the mud-covered gun was the one used to kill him.
The recovery of the weapon – concealed in a carrier bag along with suspected stolen mobile phones and jewellery – was described as an “important development” by police, who appealed to anyone who may have seen somebody acting suspiciously on the Melling Stone Bridge on Brewery Lane, either on the evening of the murder or the days that followed, to come forward.
Progress since then has been limited, but Mark Guiness, Head of the Merseyside Police Serious Crime Review Unit, told the ECHO the force was committed to probing any new information that came to light.
He said: "Nine years have passed since Jamie's death and sadly his family are still waiting for answers.
"I understand how difficult these past few years must have been for them without seeing any justice done for his death.
"Despite it being a number of years ago it doesn't mean that his death has been forgotten about or that we won't act on any information given to us.
"I would continue to ask anyone who thinks they may have information which could assist the investigation to come forward.
"You could make the difference and ensure that the person responsible for Jamie's death is put behind bars where they belong.”
Jamie Starkey was shot dead in December 2012.
Nine years later - nine Christmas’ on - and justice is yet to be achieved for Jamie.
But police believe it is still obtainable and that the fluid allegiances of the criminal world may mean that someone who has not yet come forward with information may now be willing to do so.
The Liverpool Echo has detailed what happened on the night, the impact it has had on those who knew him, and the latest on the investigation that detectives believe they could still solve with your help.
If that is you, you can contact Merseyside Police by calling 101, via Twitter (@MerPolCC) or you can share details anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online here.
