Nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel who was shot dead in her home on Monday in Liverpool, UK. Photo courtesy of Merseyside Police.

Police in Liverpool, UK, hunting a gunman who shot dead a nine-year-old girl in her own home say ‘no stone will be left unturned’ in their search for the callous killer.

Olivia Pratt-Korbel died on Monday night when a 35-year-old man ran into the terraced house in the Dovecot area of the city, in an attempt to get away from a shooter, Merseyside Police said.

Her mother Cheryl Korbel, 46, was shot in the wrist as she tried to close the door on the gunman while her daughter stood behind her. The bullet then struck Olivia.

The man who was fleeing the gunman was also shot, but he was taken to hospital by associates who left the schoolgirl bleeding in her hallway.

Police are appealing to the city’s “criminal fraternity” for information, saying that the tragic incident “crosses every single boundary”.

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “Shockingly there are still callous criminals who are prepared to use weapons on our streets and have utter disregard for the heartache and the pain that they have caused to Olivia’s family.

“I know that the murder of Olivia has rocked our communities, who are quite rightly upset and outraged that such an abhorrent crime has occurred here on the streets of Merseyside.

“The people of Liverpool and Merseyside are known for their compassion and pulling together in times of crisis, and I know that our communities, people are wanting to help the family in any way possible.

“This is not the time for anyone who knows who's responsible for this shooting to remain tight-lipped.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the shooting as an “unimaginable tragedy” and promised that Merseyside Police would get “whatever they need to catch those responsible”.

He said: “My thoughts are with Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s family and the people of Liverpool following this horrific, senseless shooting.” VNS