12-year-old Girl Caught up in Shooting While Trick-or-treating, Is Mowed Down by Car
A 12-year-old girl who was out with friends for Halloween last night was rushed to hospital after being hit by a car fleeing the scene of a shooting, police say.
Officers in Liverpool, U.K., were called just before 8 p.m. after receiving reports of shots that had been fired at a car, a black Volkswagen Golf, as it traveled along Sceptre Road in Croxteth. The girl had been trick-or-treating at the time of the incident, law enforcement confirmed.
A man who was injured in the shooting, reportedly the driver of the vehicle, later arrived at a hospital with an injury to his face, according to the Liverpool Echo.
A police spokesperson stated: "We were called at 7.50 p.m. following reports that shots had been fired at a black VW Golf as it travelled along Sceptre Road.
"A short time later, the car was in collision with a 12-year-old female pedestrian," it continued. "Shortly after the incident a male presented at hospital with a facial injury. The injury is not believed to be life threatening. The female pedestrian has been taken to hospital for treatment for her injuries. Her injuries are described as serious but not life threatening."
Witnesses told the Echo that about four males were seen fleeing from the car after it collided with the girl and one man appeared to be bleeding from the face. No arrests have been made at the time of publication. The incident was condemned by the local community.
"I heard she was trick or treating with her friends," one resident told the Liverpool Echo. "It's absolutely disgusting they would do this. Especially on a night when so many kids would be out and about. Nobody seems to know what's gone on with the shooting but a little girl is now laid up in hospital, they should be ashamed of themselves. Absolute cowards."
Merseyside Police has appealed for information from the public.
"This investigation is in its very early stages and enquiries are being carried out to establish exactly what has taken place," said Chief Inspector Mark Everard.
"I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Sceptre Road this evening who saw anyone or anything suspicious or captured anything on dash-cam footage to contact us as they may be able to assist. Firearms have no place on the streets of Merseyside and we are committed to finding the people responsible for using them and bringing them to justice."
According to police statistics released online, calls about antisocial and criminal behaviour on Halloween decreased by just over 18 percent compared to last year. A total of 14 people were arrested for various offences, including criminal damage and possession of drugs.
Superintendent Paddy Kelly described the shooting as "extremely worrying."
"The offender/s have shown no thought for the general public and has resulted in an innocent young girl, who was out enjoying herself, experiencing this traumatic ordeal," he said, noting that officers will be "working with partners" and reviewing CCTV to identity the culprits.
