Detectives have charged a man with the murder of Elle Edwards in Wallasey on Christmas Eve.
Connor Chapman, 22, of Houghton Road, Woodchurch has also been charged with two counts of attempted murder and three counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and handling stolen goods, namely a Mercedes A Class.
He has been remanded in custody to appear at Wirral Adult Remand Court today, Friday 13th January.
A 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail pending further enquiries
In the past 10 days CCTV and important information about individuals and wider tensions have all been passed on either directly to us or confidentially through the Crimestoppers charity.
Each piece of intelligence is examined and where appropriate further developed as detectives work round the clock to get justice for Elle and her family.
To date three people have been arrested in connection with Elle’s murder. Two have been released on bail pending further enquiries while a third has been recalled to prison.
Our investigation remains ongoing and a number of lines of enquiry are currently being explored.
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “I would like to personally thank each and every person who has already come forward to tell us what they know.
“This is a fast moving and complex investigation and each piece of information is a vital piece of the puzzle to help us to understand what happened in the Lighthouse pub on Christmas Eve.
“I would continue to ask people to come forward and tell us what they know. Even though we have received a lot of information from the public it is still important that people continue to speak to us.
The Lighthouse Inn pub, Wallasey Village and the carpark have been closed since Christmas Eve after a murder investigation was launched following the death of 26-year-old Elle Edwards.
We can now confirm that the road called Wallasey Village where the Lighthouse Inn pub is situated is now open in both directions.
Owners who had left their vehicles at the Lighthouse Inn pub car park can now come and collect them. However, owners of vehicles will need to produce identification to officers to confirm that they are the rightful owner, and will be asked to provide their name, address, date of birth, and telephone number before their vehicle can be collected.
A high visibility police presence remains in Wirral as part of our ongoing commitment to targetting and disrupting criminals involved in serious and organised crime, and reassuring our local communities.
A murder investigation was launched on Christmas Eve following the fatal shooting of Elle Edwards at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village and detectives are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry.
While we are doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice we also understand how frightening incidents such as these can be to people living in the local community and we encourage anyone with concerns or questions to engage with our officers or visit our mobile police station.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley, who today, Wednesday 28th December, visited Wallasey Village with Wirral Community Policing lead, Superintendent Matthew Moscrop, to speak to the local community said: “We are continuing to support the family of Elle Edwards and our thoughts remain with them and her friends at this incredibly difficult time.
“Guns have no place in our communities. We have seen here the devastation they can cause, and the senseless loss to a family of their loved one by the most cowardly of acts. I want our communities to be reassured that we will be relentless in finding those who choose to use them and store the weapons and bring them to justice.
“Our activity and presence on the Wirral has not just been confined to the past few days. Operationally, our officers have been working around the clock throughout the whole year – including the Christmas period – to disrupt criminals by carrying out warrants, stop checks and stop searches, targeted operations and high visibility patrols, as well as working closely with our communities and local businesses.
“As part of Operation Presley – our response to targeting serious and organised criminals in Wirral – launched 12 months ago we have conducted 136 stop searches, made 64 arrests, seized £11,000 in cash, recovered 12 knives and secured two gang injunctions.
