A gunman opened fire on a busy road where three men were shot at less than a month ago.
Police were called to Hawthorne Road in Bootle for the second time in four weeks after shots were fired at a house , at the junction with Benedict Street, at around 5.15pm on Monday.
This follows a shocking incident on Wednesday, June 19 when three men were shot at outside a chippy on Hawthorne Road, between Earl Road and Sussex Street.
It is not believed that police are investigating a link between the shootings , but residents in the area have spoken of yet another shooting happening on the road.
Sheila Teasdale said: "Not again."
Meanwhile June Devine also said: "This is getting bad now."
On Monday, July 15, police were called to Hawthorne Road after reports that a gun had been fired at a house .
It was reported that at around 5.15pm a male motorbike passenger, which was being ridden by another male, fired once in the direction of a house at the junction of Benedict Street.
The bike was then ridden away along Benedict Street.
The road was quickly closed by police before forensic officers could be seen working within the cordon and located a possible bullet casing a few metres away from the house.
The rider was described as wearing a black helmet while the passenger, who was all in black, was not wearing a helmet.
Chief Inspector Jay Crellin from Merseyside Police said: “Our investigation into this incident is in its very early stages, and I appeal to anyone who was in the area and saw or heard anything to speak to us so we can piece together exactly what happened and bring the offenders to justice.
“This happened in daylight, at peak hour and on a busy road, and we believe it is very likely the offenders or part of the incident itself would have been captured on dashcam or CCTV. We urge anyone who was in the area at the time to consider whether they may have footage that could help our investigation, and get in touch.
“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously, the incident itself, or someone making off on a motorbike or on foot, come forward.”
The shooting comes less than four weeks after a gunman opened fire in the direction of three men outside a chippy less than a mile away.
Three men shot at outside chippy
At around 10pm on Wednesday, June 19 three men were shot at outside a chippy on Hawthorne Road.
Emergency services were called to the scene between Earl Road and Sussex Street after the shots were fired and caused damage to two windows.
In this incident, the shots were also fired by the male passenger of a motorbike that was being ridden by another male.
Both men were pictured on CCTV wearing distinctive helmets as they were seeing fleeing the scene in the direction of Kirkdale.
At the time, temporary Chief Inspector Matthew Moscrop said: “The pillion passenger, who shot the weapon, was wearing a distinctive black helmet with two prominent green stripes, and we believe this could have caught the attention of pedestrians and motorists in the area before or after the incident.
“Did you see these two males leaving the scene after the incident at 10pm?
"We know they rode along Hawthorne Road in the direction of Kirkdale - did you see where they went after that?
"If you were driving in the area at the time, we would urge you to check dashcam footage that might show them.
“We believe this shooting was targeted against one or more of three males who were on the pavement.
"Unfortunately they are not co-operating with our enquiries at this time, which makes it all the more crucial that anyone who does have information gets in touch with us or calls Crimestoppers.”
This shooting was classed as targeted and a 31-year-old man from Bootle was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of a Section 1 firearm.
He has since been released under investigation.
*Anyone with information about either shooting is is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC.
"You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100382007 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information .
