A teenage boy is fighting for his life after being shot twice in front of horrified crowds outside a popular pub.
A gunman opened fire outside the pub in Crosby, Liverpool, on Friday night, shooting the 17-year-old boy in the stomach and leg.
He was taken to hospital, where Merseyside Police said he was fighting for his life.
Officers, who were called to the scene shortly after 11pm, put a large cordon in place and forensic support was seen arriving at around 1am as groups of people gathered outside the pubs in the area.
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In a statement, a spokesperson for the police in Merseyside, said: "Detectives are appealing for information following a shooting which left a male injured in Waterloo last night, Friday 2 July.
"At around 11.15pm, it was reported a 17-year-old male had been shot outside The Lounge Bar on South Road, near its junction with Mount Pleasant. The victim has been taken to hospital for treatment to injuries to his torso and legs consistent with being shot with a firearm, and his condition is described as critical.
"Forensic, witness and CCTV enquiries are underway."
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Chief Inspector Steve Hardy added: “Our investigation is in its very early stages, and we are keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard this incident. This area of South Road has a number of bars and restaurants so we know it would have been busy on a Friday night, and we have spoken to a number of witnesses already.
“I want to appeal to anyone else who was in the area and may have information, or who was in a passing vehicle and might have dashcam, to contact us. Any details or footage could prove key to our enquiries as we piece together what happened.”
He added: “We understand the fear that gun crime causes to residents and visitors to the area – many of those on South Road last night would have simply wanted to enjoy a peaceful night out with friends and family.
“I want to assure people in the community that we think this was a targeted attack, and that our investigation will leave no stone unturned as we seek to put those responsible before the courts and take the firearm used off our streets. We continue to regularly seize weapons and arrest suspects connected to such incidents and will act on all information provided on gun crime to remove weapons and those who use them from the community.
"Please come forward with what you know, directly or anonymously, and we will do the rest.”
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC with reference 21000462538.
