Merseyside Police confirmed today that the 26-year-old woman fatally shot at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village was out with friends at the time. Ms Edwards was shot in the head and four others were injured when a gunman opened fire at the front of the popular pub. She was immediately rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital but sadly died as a result of her injuries.
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs announced that a 28-year-old man from Beechwood was in “critical condition” after being hit with a bullet. It was also revealed that a 22-year-old man suffered an injury to his legs, a 24-year-old man sustained an injury to his hand and a 33-year-old man suffered an injury to his wrist.
A number of parents said their children had been at the Lighthouse at the time of the shooting and one was trying to give CPR to the shooting victim.
One said: “My daughter and her friend were in the pub (it was packed) and both are traumatised. Thoughts are with families involved. So horrendous.”
Another parent said: “My daughter was there, she and her friends got home safe but is very distressed. She was stood right by the girl who was killed. So scary.”
Elle’s family have not yet released a tribute to her, but provided photos of the girl who “made people happy inside”.
In a police press conference held yesterday, an urgent appeal was made for information about the horrific events, with a dark-coloured Mercedes A-Class seen driving away from the scene shortly after the shooting. It’s believed Elle was not the target of the attack.
Friends and colleagues have now paid tribute to 26-year-old Elle, who had worked at a Wirral beauty salon. Friend Britt Hughes posted a tribute on facebook, she said: “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.”
“Our specially trained family liaison officers are supporting the family at this tragic time and we are determined to find those responsible. The investigation is still in the early stages and we are trying to establish a motive and the circumstances surrounding this callous and cold-blooded shooting.
“We believe the gunman fired shots at the front entrance to the pub. Minutes later a dark-coloured car, possibly an A-Class Mercedes, was seen to leave the pub car park. We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of that car and ask anyone who may have seen it to contact us immediately.
“We will not rest until we find the people responsible for this shooting and I would appeal to anyone who has information or believes they captured something significant on their dashcam, doorbell camera or mobile phone to contact us.
