Merseyside Police said armed officers arrested the man in Lunsford Road, Dovecot, on Friday afternoon. He was also arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning, the force said. A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “The investigation into Olivia’s tragic murder is ongoing and we still need to build a strong body of evidence so we can bring those responsible to justice.” Earlier on Friday night, detectives released an image of a black Audi Q3 believed to be taking the intended target of the attack, Joseph Nee, to hospital. They also released footage of the first suspect arrested on suspicion of murdering Olivia, a 36-year-old from the Huyton area, who was arrested on Thursday. He also remains in custody. Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot Monday night at her home on Kingsheath Avenue (Average PA) Convicted burglar and drug dealer Nee allegedly broke into the youngster’s family home when her mother, Cheryl Korbel, answered the front door after hearing a disturbance. The killer chased him inside, shooting indiscriminately, wounding Ni and Olivia’s mother, Cheryl, and killing the nine-year-old. Her older brother and sister were home but upstairs at the time. A man who was with Nee but escaped unharmed has now been identified, while the driver of an Audi Q3 who picked him up from Olivia’s home and took him to hospital has also been questioned by police. Home Secretary Priti Patel said gun crime in the UK was a “major concern” as she visited the scene where Olivia was shot. Ms Patel said: “Merseyside Police in particular has an excellent record, actually, in dealing with serious violence over the last three years, taking more guns off the streets, but also taking guns off the streets, knives in private. Joseph Nye has been named as the intended target of the bullets that killed Olivia Pratt-Corbel (PA) “Over the last 13 months, there has been a very low use of firearms in Merseyside because of the preventative work that Merseyside has undertaken as a force, which is very important – and, in fact, other police forces are looking at a national level in Merseyside to look at big part of the proactive work that has led here.” It comes as Ms Patel said the Home Office would give Merseyside Police an extra £350,000 to focus on “taking guns off the streets” and tackling organized crime. He also launched a £150,000 ‘care package’ for Liverpool residents. Ms Patel has yet to meet Olivia’s family but told reporters she was “in touch” with them and said her thoughts were with them at this “truly devastating and sad time”. In other developments, Det Ch Supt Mark Kameen, of Merseyside Police, praised the level of support from communities as “phenomenal”, but continued to appeal for anyone with information to come forward. “I’m incredibly grateful for the sheer levels and volume of information we’ve received so far,” he said. “That level of commitment, that level of cooperation and that level of cooperation just has to continue.” Home Secretary Priti Patel visits the scene in Kingsheath Avenue, Knotty Ash, Liverpool (PA) He added: “Again, I will ask those active in the criminal fraternity to search their consciences around these three attacks and come forward.” Officers said they are still seeking information about the shooting and have asked people to come forward with any information they have. The football community on Merseyside has also joined the calls. In a tribute to Olivia, her family said the nine-year-old was “a unique, chatty, boisterous little girl who broke the mold when she was born”. “Liv was adored by all who knew her and would instantly make friends with anyone and everyone. She was often seen riding up and down the street on her new birthday bike,” the tribute read. He then appealed for anyone with information to come forward. “If anyone knows something, now is the time to speak up. It’s not about being a “scumbag” or a “grass” it’s about finding out who took our baby. Please do the right thing.”
Football unites against violence in Liverpool
Liverpool and Everton legends Ian Rush and Ian Snowdin laid flowers on Kingsheath Avenue on behalf of Merseyside football clubs. The club’s two ambassadors arrived at the police cordon on Friday morning to leave floral tributes. On the flowers from Everton FC, a message read: ‘RIP Olivia. No words will ease the pain or explain such a tragedy. Our city is united. Forever in our thoughts.” A floral tribute card from Liverpool FC read: ‘Rest in peace Olivia, with deepest sympathy from all of us at Liverpool Football Club. You’ll never walk alone.” Liverpool FC Ambassador Ian Rush (right) and Everton FC Ambassador Ian Snodin visit the stage (PA) It comes as Aston Villa manager and former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said he was “personally devastated” by the tragedy. The Villa manager said it had been a “difficult week for everyone at Liverpool”. “I have a 10-year-old daughter myself – so I can’t imagine what the family are going through at the moment. And I hope the family gets justice as soon as possible. I guess the message I want to give is, do the right thing.” Two Everton FC players, along with manager Frank Lampard, called on communities to come together. Midfielder Tom Davies said tragedies like Olivia’s murder “happen far too often”. Everton boss Frank Lampard appeals for information on gunman who killed nine-year-old He added: “Enough is enough. Our communities need to come together now more than ever. If you know anything about the incident, please let the authorities know. Gun and knife crime is not part of our city. So please come together to help stop this.” Frank Lampard added: “Silence is not an option. Enough is enough. Whose side are you on?’ Olivia’s killing came during a spate of violence in the city, which has seen three people killed in a week. Council worker Ashley Dale, 28, was shot dead at an address in the Old Swan area in the early hours of Sunday morning in a suspected case of mistaken identity. A man has now been arrested on suspicion of murder in this case, while a woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Sam Rimmer, 22, was shot dead in the Dingle area on August 16, and three people have since been arrested. Police say they do not believe the killings are connected, but are keeping an “open mind.”
