A major incident has been declared after shots were fired inside a newsagents and outside a busy cinema.
Police were called to Showcase Cinema on East Lancs Road around 8.50pm on Wednesday, January 3, to reports a gun had been fired. They immediately locked down the building, keeping staff and customers inside. Around 20 minutes before this, an incident at Sangha's Newsagent on Lower House Lane saw a man enter the store and fire a gun.
The gunman is being hunted and police advised people to stay indoors. They confirmed that at this stage, no-one has been injured and the incident is not terror related.
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Dozens of police cars were at the scene, while armed police were seen guarding the cordon outside the building. People were later escorted in small groups from the building, past a line of armed officers and to their cars.
One witness who was inside the cinema, Craig Moorhead, said he was kept inside the building for 45 minutes. The 35-year-old from Garston had been to watch Wonka with his daughter and her friend, who are both 14.
He said as the film ended he heard police around the back of the building, and came out into the foyer to find the cinema had been locked down.
He said: "As we came out of the cinema screen the armed police response team was running in. I was talking to the girl on the desk, apparently a fella had pointed a shotgun at her.
"She was in shock."
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that emergency services are at the Showcase cinema in Liverpool following reports shots were fired this evening, Wednesday 3 January.
"At around 8.50pm officers received a report that shots had been fired at Showcase Cinemas on East Lancashire Road after a man entered the premises carrying a firearm. About 20 minutes before there was an incident at a business on Lower House Lane where a firearm was discharged.
"Armed officers and local policing officers are in the area and members of the public are advised to stay indoors whilst the incident ongoing. At this stage no-one has been injured.
"Anyone with information which could help the police should call 999. The incident is fast moving and we will provide a further update as soon as possible."
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Key Events
CCTV footage of gunman
Gunman fired shots at newsagents, Showcase cinema and house
Olivia Williams
Police surround house just minutes from shop where gunman opened fire
Police surrounded a house just minutes away from a shop where a gunman opened fire.
Detectives were seen parked outside a house on Lower House Lane in Norris Green on Thursday, January 4, just a five minute walk away from the scene of a shooting at News and Booze store (known locally as Sangha newsagents).
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Olivia Williams
Neighbours locked doors and turned lights off as shooting rocks quiet street
Neighbours locked their doors and turned the lights off as the sound of gunshots rang out in their street.
People living on Malpas Road took refuge in their homes after a lone gunman fired shots at a house on their street at around 10.40pm on Wednesday, January 3. The shocking incident followed two earlier reports of gunfire in Norris Green and Croxteth.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Charlotte Hadfield
Ford Focus towed away outside house cordoned off by police after shooting
A Ford Focus was towed away from outside a house after it was cordoned off by police.
Officers descended on Ternhall Road in Fazakarley at around 3am on Thursday as a helicopter was seen circling overhead. Christmas decorations could still be seen in the window of the cordoned off house, while a caravan was parked on the driveway.
You can read the full story here.
Charlotte Hadfield
Shouting heard as police surround road
Residents reported hearing shouting in the street at around 4.45am, at which time Ternhall Road was already blocked off by police pic.twitter.com/VSephgXX7I
— Charlotte Hadfield - Echo (@Charl_hadfield) January 4, 2024
Charlotte Hadfield
Residents were unable to return to street as police cordoned off house
A house on Ternhall Road in Fazakerley was cordoned off in the early hours of Thursday.
Residents who had left their homes before the road was closed were unable to return while police carried out their investigations. The road has since been reopened but a cordon remains in place outside the property.
Police surrounded this house on Ternhall Road at around 3am on Thursday. Residents who had left the street prior to the road being closed were unable to return to their homes for a short time this morning while officers carried out their investigations pic.twitter.com/qMP4dix8TR
— Charlotte Hadfield - Echo (@Charl_hadfield) January 4, 2024
Ellen Kirwin
Police statement
Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson, said:
I can report that a 49-year-old man has been arrested following three firearms discharges in the Croxteth and Norris Green areas last night.
Thankfully incidents like this, involving a single offender in three separate shootings in close proximity and quick succession, are extremely rare and this is the first time we have had to deal with an incident of this nature on the streets of Merseyside.
The shocking and distressing impact these incidents will have had on the shop assistant, the staff at the Showcase Cinema and those filmgoers who found themselves in a lockdown situation in the complex after shots were fired outside the cinema and the residents of Malpas Road cannot be underestimated.
Officers were on the ground immediately following the first incident and were able to respond swiftly to the subsequent discharges, and a male was identified. located and arrested on suspicion of all three discharges within 13 hours.
High visibility patrols will remain in the area to reassure members of the local community.
Ellen Kirwin
Detectives carry out investigations at each shooting scene
Ellen Kirwin
Stonedale Retail Park remains closed
Ellen Kirwin
Forensic officers arrive at Showcase
A cordon remains in place at the Showcase Cinema and the retail park remains closed.
At the time of the incident the majority of people in the cinema were watching film screenings within the complex and they became aware of the incident when officers arrived at the scene and the complex was put into lockdown.
Stonedale retail park and all shops within the area will remain closed whilst officers continue their investigations. We will keep you advised if the area is reopened.
Ellen Kirwin
House cordoned off
A house has been cordoned off by police after they declared a major incident last night.
KEY EVENT
CCTV footage of gunman
CCTV footage shows the terrifying moment a gunman entered a newsagents and fired shots.
Ellen Kirwin
Night of terror was 'first incident of such nature'
Liverpool has been rocked by the "first incident" of its kind after a night of terror.
Detectives for Merseyside police have revealed that it's the first time they have ever has to deal with an incident "of this nature" in the region.
The night of terror started at around 8pm, on Wednesday, January 3, when a gunman entered News and Booze store (known locally as Sangha newsagents) on Lower House Lane, and fired a gun.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
KEY EVENT
Gunman fired shots at newsagents, Showcase cinema and house
Merseyside police confirmed that while the shooting was not terrorist related, it was declared as a major incident quickly. The suspect is reported to have started his night of terror at around 8pm, on Wednesday, January 3.
He entered the News and Booze store (known locally as Sangha newsagents) on Lower House Lane, Norris Green, and threatened the store assistant, demanded cash and then fired a gun before leaving the store empty handed. Just before 8.50pm police received a further call to report that shots had been fired outside the Showcase Cinema on Stonedale retail park in Croxteth.
He reportedly entered the cinema complex and threatened two members of staff in the foyer, before leaving. When he got outside he fired a number of shots in the air before escaping in a car. Then at about 10.20pm further reports were received that gun shots were heard at a property on Malpas Road.
Cheryl Mullin
BREAKING: Man arrested after shots fired outside Showcase Cinema
A man has been arrested after a major incident was declared following reports shots were fired at three locations in Liverpool last night, Wednesday 3 January.
A 49 year-old man from Fazakerley was arrested by Armed Response Officers at 4.46am this morning, Thursday, when warrants were carried out at a property in Fazakerley. When officers attended the property the male was aggressive and a Taser was deployed.
More to follow
Cheryl Mullin
Good morning, the city is waking up to news of a gunman on the loose
A major incident was declared last night after a man fired shots at a newsagents and a busy cinema.
Police were called to Showcase Cinema on East Lancs Road around 8.50pm on Wednesday, January 3, to reports a gun had been fired. Officers were told a man had entered the premises carrying a firearm. About 20 minutes before there was an incident at Sangha's Newsagent on Lower House Lane where a firearm had been fired.
Here's everything we know about the incident so far as police continue to search for the gunman.
Paul Philbin
Cinema 'gunman' terror
Today's front pagehttps://t.co/O6Pe1DKJZ6 pic.twitter.com/DkB7aoj8ta
— Liverpool Echo (@LivEchonews) January 4, 2024
Cheryl Mullin
Cinema and surrounding area remains cordoned off
There is still a large police presence outside the Showcase cinema this morning.
A cordon remains in place which takes in the surrounding estate.
Paul Philbin
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Paul Philbin
Everything published on this developing story
- Gunman on the loose after shooting outside Showcase cinema
- Showcase worker 'couldn't speak' as 'man in flipflops' points gun at her
- Newsagents cordoned off after shots fired 20 minutes before Showcase Cinema incident
- Showcase Cinema issues statement as police lock down building
- Everything we know so far as major incident declared after shooting
Cheryl Mullin
Showcase worker had gun pointed at her by 'man in flipflops'
A Showcase Cinema worker "couldn't speak" after a man "in flipflops" pointed a gun at her.
A witness who was inside the cinema when it was locked down said he spoke to a member of staff, who told him a man "had pointed a gun in her face."
Craig Moorhead, 35, said: "She was in shock and could hardly speak. I think he did a couple of shots outside and then ran in, the woman said he was wearing flipflops or something."
Read the full article here
Cheryl Mullin
Newsagents was cordoned off by police after shots were fired
Just 20 minutes before the incident at the Showcase Cinema, a gun was fired at Sangha's newsagents.
A cordon was in place outside the Lower House Lane store and around a dozen police officers were at the scene when the ECHO arrived. A police helicopter could also be seen circling above.
Read the full article here.
Olivia Williams
Police remain on Lower House Lane
Cheryl Mullin
Everything we know about the incident so far
- At 8.30pm a man walked into the Sangha's newsagents on Lower House Lane and fired a gun inside the shop. The incident was reported to police.
- At 8.50pm a man entered the Showcase Cinema on East Lancashire Road, which is just one mile away, and fired shots in the foyer.
- Police arrived at the scene and put the cinema into lockdown shortly after receiving reports of the incident. A man who was inside watching a film with his daughter said they were told by staff a man pointed a gun towards staff working in the foyer.
- Dozens of police officers closed Stonedale Retail Park as forensics and detectives start investigating the incident. The public and staff were then able to leave the cinema, with families being seen rushing their children away from the area.
- At 10.50pm Showcase released a statement confirming no staff or customers were injured in the incident. A spokesperson for Showcase Cinemas said: “We are aware of an incident at our cinema and surrounding area in Liverpool. The safety and welfare of our staff and customers is always our number one priority and we can confirm no one was injured. We would like to thank our team members and the local police for their swift responses to this active investigation.”
- At 11.25pm police released a statement confirming there were two reports of shots being fired in the Croxteth area. They confirmed the gunman is still on the loose, nobody has been injured, and asked for anybody with information to get in touch with them via 999.
Read the full piece here.
Abigail Nicholson
Parents seen hurrying children into cars
The Echo arrived at the Showcase Cinema just before 10pm, as cars were pulling up on the pavement on East Lancashire Road. Many people jumped stright out of their cars to ask police what was going on as they had loved ones inside the cinema, who were in lockdown at the time.
Once people were given the go ahead to leave, parents were seen hurrying their children to their cars before leaving the estate, which was locked down by dozens of police officers, including armed units.
Paul Philbin
Police statement in full
We can confirm that emergency services are at the Showcase cinema in Liverpool following reports shots were fired this evening, Wednesday 3 January.
At around 8.50pm officers received a report that shots had been fired at Showcase Cinemas on East Lancashire Road after a man entered the premises carrying a firearm.
About 20 minutes before there was an incident at a business on Lower House Lane where a firearm was discharged.
Armed officers and local policing officers are in the area and members of the public are advised to stay indoors whilst the incident ongoing.
At this stage no-one has been injured.
Anyone with information which could help the police should call 999.
The incident is fast moving and we will provide a further update as soon as possible.
Paul Philbin
Armed police outside Showcase Cinema
Armed police are still stationed outside the front doors of Showcase Cinema pic.twitter.com/RKn8lC8naP
— Abigail Nicholson (@AbigailJourno) January 4, 2024
Cheryl Mullin
Gunman on the loose after shooting outside Showcase cinema
A gunman is being hunted and people are being told to stay indoors after shots were fired outside the Showcase cinema.
Police were called to the building, on East Lancs Road around 8.50pm tonight, Wednesday 3 January, to reports a gun had been fired.
Officers were told a man had entered the premises carrying a firearm. About 20 minutes before there was an incident at Sangha's Newsagent on Lower House Lane where a firearm had been fired.
Read the full story here.
Paul Philbin
Police telling people to stay indoors
Merseyside Police are telling people to stay indoors @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/iomYhm56Tr
— Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) January 4, 2024
Paul Philbin
Shots fired
Merseyside Police confirmed shots were fired on Lower House Lane. This was 20 minutes before the incident at the Showcase cinema on East Lancs Road @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/ldui5jUYic
— Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) January 4, 2024
Paul Philbin
Police knocking on doors
Police have been knocking on doors across the road asking if anyone has seen anything @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/Vba69yyeiZ
— Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) January 3, 2024
