Liverpool: 'Absolute miracle' that 15-year-old girl survived after being shot as she waited for bus home from school
A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of a firearm and a 60-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Wednesday 2 March 2022 22:13, UK
A 15-year-old girl was shot as she waited for a bus home from school in a "callous and cowardly attack" after a group of masked people arrived on bikes.
Police in Liverpool say it is an "absolute miracle and credit to the NHS" that the girl survived after being left bleeding at the bus stop as the bikers made off.
A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of a firearm and a 60-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, Merseyside Police confirmed.
The girl had been waiting in Upper Warwick Street, Toxteth, on Tuesday evening when she was shot, the force said.
Liverpool mayor Joanne Anderson called the incident "alarming and upsetting" and detectives have urged any witnesses to come forward.
"It is an absolute miracle and a credit to the NHS that this young woman has survived," Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen told reporters on Wednesday afternoon.
He said a group of people arrived riding up to four bikes - possibly electric - and shots are believed to have been fired from one or more of them, he continued.
"All of the people on the bikes were wearing dark clothing, they were wearing face masks or some form of face covering like a balaclava," he said.
"Once the shooting had taken place, we believe that the bikes made off."
Ambulance crew rushed to the scene, where they found a young girl with "devastating injuries".
She was admitted to hospital in a critical condition but is now "serious but stable", reporters were told.
A short time later, a man turned up at hospital with a gunshot injury to his arm, which is not believed to be life-threatening.
Police believe the two injuries could be connected.
Officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries as they seek to catch those responsible, and forensic examinations have taken place at the scene.
Det Ch Sup Kameen added: "The actions of those people responsible for this attack on a 15-year-old schoolgirl who was waiting in a bus stop to go home from school are utterly appalling and shocking, even with 29 years' service."
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 anonymously, quoting log 647 of 1 March.