Police cordon off 'the Ralla' after man shot dead

Police cordoned off an entrance to the Liverpool Loop Line after a man was shot dead.

Officers were called to the Liver Industrial Estate, close to Taskers in Aintree, just after 11.10pm on Sunday, June 23 following a report from the North West Ambulance Service paramedics, who were treating a 19-year-old man.

When officers arrived, they discovered the man had been shot. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist family liaison officers. A murder investigation has now been launched.

READ MORE: Murder investigation launched after man shot

READ MORE: Jay Slater 'last sighting' Tenerife picture shared by teen's desperate family

A huge cordon and a dozen police vehicles were at the industrial estate following the incident. A cordon was also in place to the entrance to the Liverpool Loop Line, locally known as "the Ralla", on Grace Road, Walton. A spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed this was in connection with murder investigation.

Police said extensive CCTV enquiries are being carried out in the area and house-to-house inquiries are taking place. High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide reassurance and officers will be available to speak to anyone who may have concerns.

Head of the investigation Mark Baker said: "This was an appalling and tragic incident in which a young man has lost his life, and our thoughts first and foremost are with his family, who are trying to come to terms with his loss.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen him to come forward as their information could be vital. Whilst this happened on an industrial estate, there are residential homes nearby and I would urge anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area, or who heard anything, to come forward so we can give his family answers and bring his killer or killers to justice.

“I would appeal to any motorists who may have captured footage on their dashcam to come forward even if it appears to be innocuous. It could prove vital to our efforts to deliver justice for this young man and his family. It is essential that people with information, no matter how small, to please contact us as it might be vital to the investigation.

“Gun violence has taken too many young lives here in Merseyside. While the last 12 months saw the lowest number of firearms discharges in more than two decades, our efforts to take weapons off the streets and put those thoughtless enough to use them in jail will never stop.

“Every day our officers are carrying out warrants, open land searches and stop and searches to remove guns and other weapons from our streets. We target all available resources in the right areas to remove weapons and those who use them and work daily alongside our partners and in communities affected by gun crime.

“Incidents such as this are a tragic reminder of why we must continue with that work – gun crime can tear families apart and ruin many more lives than the victim alone.

“If you have any information at all on this incident, please call 101, DM @MerPolCC or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 1121 of 23 June. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here