Man, 30, arrested on suspicion of murder and woman, 19, held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder
Two people have been arrested in connection with the “cold-blooded shooting” of Elle Edwards in Wallasey Village, Merseyside police said.
A 30-year-old man from Tranmere has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
A 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry in Birkenhead has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
Police said the two suspects have been taken into custody where they will be questioned by detectives.
Det Supt Sue Coombs, from major crime investigations, said: “We have made two arrests in connection with this cold-blooded shooting.
“Elle’s family are still having to come to terms with her tragic loss, and our specially trained family liaison officers are supporting them.
“We will not rest until we bring those responsible to justice and I would appeal to anyone who has information to contact us.”
Edwards, 26, was celebrating the festive season with her sister and friends when she was shot in the head by a gunman who opened fire in the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village.
The beautician was not the target of the attack, in which four men were also shot, police said. A 28-year-old man from nearby Beechwood remained in a critical condition in hospital, while the injuries sustained by the other men, aged 22, 24 and 33, were not life-threatening.
On Boxing Day, Edwards’ family laid flowers at the scene of her shooting, where forensic investigators continued to work. A heart-shaped plaque bearing a pink and green floral design read: “Special Daughter, the happiness you brought in your own special way, will be remembered with love each and every day.”
Staff at the Nova Hair and Beauty Studio, the beauty salon on the Wirral where Edwards worked, said they were “absolutely lost for words” following her death.
Writing on Instagram, they added: “Heaven gained the most beautiful angel. We are all heartbroken, thinking of all of your family right now Elle.”
Her friend and colleague Britt Hughes posted a tribute on Facebook: “Christmas will never be the same again. Our gorgeous girl whose face made me so happy inside when she walked in the room, a girl who I couldn’t have been any more similar to.
“Shared so many amazing memories this summer with you and spoke to you non-stop, who am I gonna be in fits of laughter with on voice notes terrorising the world. You’ll be so missed my beautiful bestie.”
Another friend, Tyreece Hon, posted: “You were always a big sister to me in my eyes and I can’t believe you’ve been taken from us so soon. My heart goes out to your family who took me in as a son, love you loads. Shine bright you crazy diamond.”
Police were called to the scene at 11.50pm on 24 December shortly after a gunman fired shots into the front entrance of the pub and fled in a dark vehicle, believed to be a Mercedes.
On Sunday, Christmas Day, Merseyside police opened a murder investigation and appealed for anyone with information about the shooting, which happened in “busy venue full of young people”, to come forward.
Detectives said they had received an “overwhelming response”, particularly from witnesses to the events, but they will be relying heavily on information provided by the public.
The Lighthouse said it was assisting police with inquiries and had handed them CCTV footage of the murder.
The pub’s managers said the shooting was “a tragedy beyond any words”, adding: “All our thoughts are with the friends and family of our customers, and in particular our hearts go out to the family of our customer who has lost her life.”
The murder is the fourth shooting death in Merseyside this year and the third where the person killed was not the intended target.
On 21 August, 28-year-old Ashley Dale was shot dead outside her home in Old Swan by an unknown gunman.
The day after Dale’s killing, nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot dead in her home in Dovecot, when a masked man burst into her home chasing someone unknown to her family.
Thomas Cashman, of West Derby, has been charged with her murder.
