Girl, 12, mown down while trick-or-treating by man 'who was shot in face while driving'

1 November 2019, 08:50

By Kate Buck

A 12-year-old girl who was mown down by a driver who was 'shot in the face' has been left with serious injuries.

The victim, who remains in hospital, was trick-or-treating at the time of the tragedy in Croxteth, Liverpool, at 7.50pm yesterday night.

Police confirmed the man had been shot, and that he had been admitted to hospital with facial injuries.

Paddy Kelly, of Merseyside Police, said the incident was "extremely worrying".

He added: "The offenders have shown no thought for the general public and it has resulted in an innocent young girl, who was out enjoying herself, experiencing this traumatic ordeal."

One man at the scene told LBC News: "We didn't know if it was fireworks going off or children knocking at the door.

"It was very scary. The police turned up with five BMW X5's and jumped out fully armed.

A car was seen covered at the scene the morning after the incident
A car was seen covered at the scene the morning after the incident. Picture: LBC News

"Of course everyone was out because it was Halloween. It was scary when they started screaming 'Get in, get in."

Asked if the incident made him scared to live in the area, he replied: "I've been here 52 years, I'm not worried here."

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We were called at 7.50pm following reports that shots had been fired at a black VW Golf as it travelled along Sceptre Road. A short time later the car was in collision with a 12 year-old female pedestrian.

"Shortly after the incident a male presented at hospital with a facial injury. The injury is not believed to be life threatening.

"The female pedestrian has also been taken to hospital for treatment for her injuries.

"Her injuries are described as serious but not life threatening."

Additional reporting by Lizzie Longley.