Wirral murder: Woman dies and people injured in Wallasey pub shooting

The 26-year-old was with her sister and friends at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village, Wirral when she was shot in the head.

Police were called to the scene shortly before midnight, with one neighbour saying they had assumed the gunshots were celebratory fireworks for the festive season.

Four men were hurt in the incident, with one in a critical condition and the other three not believed to have life-threatening injuries.

Police said they believe the gunman fired shots towards the front entrance of the pub and that minutes later a dark-coloured vehicle “possibly an A class Mercedes” was seen leaving the car park.

The Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village (Image: Google)

Police statement

Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs told a press conference on Christmas Day: “Tragically the victim, a 26-year-old woman, had suffered a serious gunshot injury to her head.

“She was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital but sadly passed away shortly afterwards.

“Her family have been informed and on today, which should be a day with friends celebrating, they are coming to terms with this tragic loss.

“It’s very early stages of the investigation but we do not believe that the victim in this case has been targeted.

“She was out enjoying Christmas with her sister and friends at what should have been a peaceful time.

“What her family are now going through is incomprehensible.”

Police said a 28-year-old man from Beechwood in the Wirral is in a critical condition.

The other three injured include a 22-year-old man, also from Beechwood, who has leg injuries, a 24-year-old man from Wallasey with a hand injury and a 33-year-old man who suffered an injury to his wrist.

Ms Coombs said they were still trying to establish a motive for the “callous shooting” and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

She said: “We believe that the gunman fired shots towards the front entrance of the pub, we know that minutes later, a dark-coloured vehicle, possibly an A class Mercedes, was seen to leave the pub car park, so we are particularly keen to speak to that male and anybody who knows anything about that vehicle.

“We won’t rest until we find the people responsible for this terrible, terrible crime.”

Police at the scene on Christrmas Day (Image: Newsquest)

APPEAL | We are appealing for information following the tragic death of a woman in #Wallasey Village last night (Sat 24 December) A murder investigation is underway. Were you there and did you see anything? DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK if you can help https://t.co/U745hmTkYo pic.twitter.com/yYKfYsFLK8

— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) December 25, 2022

A spokesman for the Lighthouse pub said the shooting was “a tragedy beyond any words” while Wirral council leader Janette Williamson described it as “nothing less than despicable”.

Wallasey MP Dame Angela Eagle said the incident was “heartbreaking” and appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

Neighbour Jenny Hough, 77, told the PA news agency: “I heard the shots. I thought it was a firework actually, because it was nearly midnight.

“I just thought it was people celebrating midnight on Christmas Day.”

Jeffrey Hughes, minister of the United Reformed Church in Wallasey Village, said news of the shooting will have come as a shock.

He told PA: “Wallasey Village is a fairly lively area, it’s a nice part of Wallasey, its a nice part of the north end of the Wirral.

“We’ve got a lot of young people, families in that area. The Lighthouse is central in that community.

“It’s a shock. When we first heard the news this morning that there’d been a shooting in Wallasey, Wallasey Village is the last place you would think of.”

Jenny Hough, 77, told of her shock when she heard what had happened at the nearby pub.

She told the PA news agency: “I heard the shots, I thought it was a firework actually because it was nearly midnight.

“I just thought it was people celebrating midnight on Christmas Day.”

On waking to the news of a fatality and multiple injuries, Ms Hough said: “I couldn’t believe it, when I looked outside I thought ‘oh crikey’. It’s a complete shock.

“My sister’s garden had been broken into. We suspect it was people trying to get out of the pub and trying to climb over the wall and into her garden to get out.”

Ms Hough said she had heard the pub was had been “so crowded” that evening.

She described tight security in the area on Christmas Day morning.

She said: “I’ve got people here opening their presents at the moment and they’ve all had to give their names and addresses and everything to the police before they could come in.”

Pub issues statement

A spokesperson for the Lighthouse pub said the shooting was “a tragedy beyond any words”.

In a statement, they said: “This is a tragedy beyond any words. All our thoughts are with the friends and family of our customers and in particular our hearts go out to the family of our customer who has lost her life.

“We are completely shocked by this and were expecting to host a number of people for Christmas Day meals but sadly this is no longer possible.

“We are contacting everyone who had a booking with us to offer a full refund as well as offering them a replacement Christmas meal in the New Year, free of charge.

“We have provided the police with CCTV footage and our priority is supporting everyone who has been impacted.”

Anyone with information is asked to direct message @MerPolCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1044 of Saturday 24 December.