Prison told inmate had been shot when officers rang girlfriend

A man who was gunned down in broad daylight was on resettlement day release from prison and chiefs at the cells found out he had died when they rang his partner. Carl Russell was shot dead by a high-vis wearing gunman while he visited his family during day release from HMP Thorn Cross on October 7, 2018.

The 27-year-old was ambushed outside his parents' home on Cornwood Close in Belle Vale at around 11.30am. The gunman was described as wearing an orange high-visibility jacket and riding a pedal bike when he opened fire with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun as Mr Russell stepped out his girlfriend's car.

The gunman remains on the lose and despite three arrests being made by Merseyside Police, no charges have been brought. Following the sixth anniversary of the murder, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has published a report following an investigation into the processes that led up to the moment he was killed and the days and weeks that followed.

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Mr Russell had been at the category D prison near Warrington since March 6, 2018, after he was remanded to HMP Liverpool on July 22, 2017, charged with handling stolen goods, going equipped for theft of a motor vehicle and failure to surrender to custody before being sentenced on August 1 to 10 months in prison. He was then transferred to HMP Hindley on September 19 before his move to HMP Thorn Cross in March 2018.

He had been hoping to be approved for home detention curfew, meaning he could leave on October 10, allowing him to serve the rest of his sentence at his mum's home until a warrant was issued on April 24, 2018, to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on a charge of dangerous driving, which predated his imprisonment. He pleaded guilty and on May 22 Mr Russell was sentenced to a further nine months in prison.

He was allowed out on a resettlement release day following an assessment by prison managers who deemed him as suitable to be released on temporary licence. Mr Russell had completed several release days as well as working with a local construction company in the community before his execution.

However, prior to his conviction, the ECHO previously reported how he was critically injured when two gun-wielding men entered his home on New Year's Day on 2010. Mr Russell miraculously survived that attack despite being shot in the back of the head and three times in the body. After the shooting officers found a Glock 9mm handgun in his home as well as live ammunition.

Officers investigating his murder previously told the ECHO the force "remained open minded" about links to previous shootings. Detectives previously told the ECHO they were also open minded about how the gunman knew when to strike as very few people knew Mr Russell was out of prison and visiting family.

The shooting in 2010 left Mr Russell with chronic pain which meant he needed pain relief and, according to the report, suffered with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result. Following repeated unsupervised leave at a construction company, he was approved for a day of unsupervised leave on October 7.

It was confirmed in the report that release on temporary licence (ROTL) is not shared with other prisoners and they would not know travel plans unless they had been shared by Mr Russell himself. Following his release on the day of the murder in 2018, a "whereabouts call" had been made around 10am where he confirmed he was on his way to his parents' home after being picked up by his girlfriend.

It wasn't until a local news broadcast alerted prison officers that a shooting had taken place in the area. The report states that it is standard practice for staff at the prison to contact all prisoners on day release to check their whereabouts, and after being unable to contact Mr Russell, they contacted his girlfriend. She then confirmed he had been the victim of the shooting.

Adrian Usher, Prison and Probation Ombudsman, wrote in the report's findings: "The investigation has found that Mr Russell’s resettlement day release followed the principles as set out in the framework, and that the prison was not aware of any risk to Mr Russell when making their decision to grant his release. The investigation was told that it was and still is standard practice to complete ‘whereabouts’ calls with prisoners that are out on ROTL, such as that made to Mr Russell at 10.00am.

"The prison also said that at that time in 2018 it was likely that there were few prisoners on ROTL at any one time, and that one third of Thorn Cross prisoners came from the Merseyside area with a large number involved with or with links to Organised Criminal Gangs (OCG’s.) Therefore, it would have been standard practice to follow up on any reports of incidents, such as Mr Russell’s shooting, to check on the whereabouts and safety of those on ROTL."

Mr Russell's family said last year that the planning shown in the murder "never truly sat right" as only a handful of people knew he was visiting his parents' home that Sunday morning. Speaking previously to the ECHO at Merseyside Police's HQ ahead of the fifth anniversary of Mr Russell's death, the detectives in charge of the case revealed information about witnesses they wanted to speak to.

Detective Inspector Sarah Wilkinson said: "We are really keen to speak to the driver, or anyone who has got information, with regards to a white 53 plate Nissan Primestar van, which we believe was on the estate at the time of Carl's murder. We are also hoping to speak to a taxi driver who may have overheard a conversation that day, from a fare who may have information regarding that van. We believe the taxi driver has approached the police at the scene on the day but we have been unable to identify him since."

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye added: "...we have made a number of arrests, but I am still very keen to talk to anyone who was around at the time of the shooting. This incident happened in broad daylight at around 11.30am on a Sunday when there would have been people around. Over the years, allegiances can change and hopefully a £20,000 reward from Crimestoppers will be a strong incentive for anyone with information to come forward. We are particularly keen to speak to a male wearing high-vis clothing and riding a bike who was seen in the area at the time of the shooting.

"He is described as white, in his late 20s at the time, of medium build, dressed all in black and wearing a high-vis orange jacket, which was dark blue at the bottom and had a reflective band. Do you know who this man is? We believe he could have vital information which could assist our investigation and I would urge anyone who recognises him – or the man himself – to do the right thing and come forward."

Speaking last year in the reward appeal, which is still active on the Crimestoppers website, north west manager Gary Murray said: "We know how difficult it can be for people to speak up and pass on what they know which is why Crimestoppers exists. Our charity, which is completely independent of the police, has always kept our guarantee of 100% anonymity to everyone who contacts us.

"That means no police, no courts, no witness statements. Essentially, when you contact Crimestoppers via our website or call our 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111, once you’re done there is no comeback. No one will ever know you contacted us and your information could protect Liverpool from more harm and help the family and friends of Carl see justice."

Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in the area at the time, or has any information can contact Merseyside Police via 101, the social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside