A murder investigation has been launched after a nine-year-old girl was fatally shot in Liverpool.

Merseyside Police officers attended a house on Kingsheath Avenue, Knotty Ash, at 10pm on Monday following reports an unknown male had fired a gun inside the property, according to a statement from the force.

The nine-year-old girl suffered a gunshot injury to the chest and was taken in a critical condition to hospital, where she later died.

A man also suffered gunshot wounds to his body and a woman suffered a gunshot injury to her hand during the incident inside the house, the force added.

They have both been taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which tragically a young and innocent girl has been shot and sadly died.

“Our thoughts and condolences go to her family and friends at this very difficult time. No parent should ever have to suffer the loss of a child in these dreadful circumstances.

UK’s worst branded polluters accused of greenwashing and urged to do more to protect environment

Liz Truss Environment Agency budget cuts resulted in ‘doubled sewage discharge’, Labour claims

Rishi Sunak vows to make UK ‘science superpower’ as Liz Truss reveals plan to ‘unlock West Midlands’

“This crime is abhorrent and our communities must come forward and tell us who is responsible.

“This cowardly individual does not deserve to be walking the streets and I would urge those who know anything to speak to us and tell us what they know so that we can put the person responsible behind bars where they belong.

“We are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry as a matter of urgency and would ask for dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage from anyone who lives, works or was visiting the area of Kingsheath Avenue last night.”

Related posts:

Man charged after teenager fatally shot in the head ‘We stand with you Marcus’: Messages of support for Rashford as artist repairs vandalised mural F1 driver Lando Norris left ‘shaken’ after watch stolen at Euro 2020 final Brown crabs mesmerised by underwater power cables for renewable energy sources, study finds Ministers urge parents of secondary and college students to ensure they test regularly and get vaccinated Lesbian couple welcomes ‘overwhelming’ support for challenging NHS fertility policy described as ‘£50,000 gay tax’ Two storms to hit UK within three days as forecasters warn of 90mph winds and ‘blizzard conditions’ Former Man City doctor fell 100m to his death from spot where he proposed to his wife 27 years earlier All Northern Ireland COVID legal restrictions downgraded to guidance only Police name woman murdered in ‘opportunist stranger attack’ as they arrest man, 29 Euros final will be ‘defining moment’ for England, says star Jill Scott ‘People are desperate’: The dramatic rise in businesses going bust during cost of living crisis