Merseyside Police have apprehended a 49-year-old man in connection with a series of shootings in Liverpool, including an incident at a cinema. The arrest followed a significant operation involving armed officers and was declared a major incident.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson of Merseyside Police described the three separate but closely-timed shootings as “extremely rare”, marking this as the first occurrence of such an incident in the region. The police first received reports around 8.50pm on Wednesday of a firearm being discharged at the Showcase Cinemas in Croxteth, Liverpool.
Witnesses reported that a man armed with a gun entered the cinema complex and threatened two staff members before firing shots into the air outside and fleeing in a car. The cinema was immediately put into lockdown, with most patrons inside watching films at the time. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
This incident was soon followed by another shooting at a newsagents on Lower House Lane, where the assailant allegedly demanded cash and fired a gun before leaving without any money. The shop assistant, though unharmed, was left extremely distressed.
A third report of gunfire was later received from Malpas Road. All three shooting locations were within a three-mile radius.
The suspect was arrested early Thursday morning in Fazakerley by armed response officers, who used a Taser during the apprehension. He is being held on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and robbery.
