Young child was close by as man shot on driveway

A young child was near to the scene where a man was shot on a driveway. At around 8.55pm on Monday, September 30, armed officers were called to Simonswood Lane in Kirkby to a report that a man in his 60s had been shot in the leg.

He was taken to hospital for assessment and is currently in a stable condition, police said. A 41-year-old man from Kirkby was arrested on Tuesday morning on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

In an update today, Wednesday, October 2, Merseyside Police confirmed he has now been conditionally bailed pending further enquiries. Detectives said the suspect walked up the driveway of a family home and shot the man in the leg.

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They added there were people close by to when the man was shot, including a young child. Detectives said they are are investigating if this was a targeted attack and "will keep an open mind as to the motive."

A mobile police station remains in the area. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson from the Firearms Investigation Team (FIT) said: “This was a deplorable attack in which the offender walked up the driveway of a home in a residential area and shot a man in the leg.

“While a man suffered a leg injury during the incident, there were others very close by at the time, including a young child. It goes without saying that the consequences of the offender pulling the trigger so close to a child and other adults could have proved unimaginably tragic.

“This incident serves as an unwelcome reminder of the potential harm that offenders carrying and using guns in Merseyside can bring, and only strengthens our resolve to keep taking action to take firearms off our streets. At this time, we are investigating if this was a targeted attack and will keep an open mind as to the motive.

"Anyone pulling the trigger of a firearm in a residential street risks causing serious harm or worse to anyone living nearby.”

Knowsley Local Policing Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: “In Merseyside, we know all too well the devastation gun crime can cause. We have seen families torn apart by grief and communities rocked.

"We are sure that the vast majority of people in Kirkby will share our disgust that a lethal weapon has been fired outside a family home, with a child in close vicinity. This is a line which has been crossed before, so those within the community who hold information should search their consciences and get in touch immediately.

“Our officers carry out warrants, stop searches, arrests and land searches all year round to find guns and identify those people who store, carry and use them. However, information from the public can prove vital in helping us target that activity and ultimately protect our communities by putting dangerous people behind bars.

"If you have information on where guns are stored, used or traded – no matter how insignificant it might seem – we need to know. The information we need to put a stop to gun crime in Kirkby and across Merseyside is out there – we just need you to tell us.

“Anyone with information about where firearms are stored and who is using them can DM us on X @MerPolCC, private message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101. We know that some people may feel uncomfortable contacting police, especially for the first time, so we’d encourage people to report to Crimestoppers, which is completely anonymous on 0800 555 111 or online at: Give Information Anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) with reference 24000837972.

If you live in the local area and saw or heard anything, or were passing by at the time of the incident, please check CCTV, dashcam or other devices and come forward. A small detail may prove key to this investigation.”