The family of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was shot in her home in Liverpool, have appealed for people to “do the right thing” to help find out “who took our baby away from us”.
The schoolgirl died on Monday night after a man was chased into her home, in the Dovecot area of Liverpool, by a masked shooter who killed Olivia and injured her mother Cheryl, 46.
In a statement, the family said: “Liv was a unique chatty, nosey little girl who broke the mould when she was born.
"She loved life and all it had to offer. Liv loved dressing up and was very particular on how she was dressed, like any other little girl she loved doing her makeup and nails, she was nine going on 19.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Family Handout
“Liv was adored by everyone who knew her and would instantly make friends with anyone and everyone.
"She was often seen going up and down the street on her new bike she had just got for her birthday.
“Although her life was short, her personality certainly wasn’t and she lived it to the most she could, and would blow people away with her wit and kindness.
"We as a family are heartbroken and have lost a huge part of our life. If anyone knows anything, now is the time to speak up.
"It is not about being a ‘snitch’ or a ‘grass’ it is about finding out who took our baby away from us. Please do the right thing.
“We as a family are eternally grateful for the help and support we have received from people across the world.
“We are also thankful to Merseyside police for the outstanding work and to the staff at Alder Hey and Aintree hospitals.”
Peter Byrne
On Thursday, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said police were pursuing a number of “positive lines of enquiry” and warned the killer: “We will not rest until we find you and we will find you.”
Speaking at a media briefing at Merseyside Police HQ, he said: “We have had a number of names provided to us.”
He told reporters it was unclear if the gunman may have fled overseas, but said: “We will find him wherever he goes.”
Convicted burglar Joseph Nee, 35, from the Dovecot area of Liverpool, has been named as the intended target of the shooting.
As Olivia lay dying, he was picked up by friends in a black Audi Q3 and taken to hospital.
Police said the two people in the Audi had been traced and spoken to by officers.
Another man, who was with Nee at the time of the shooting on Kingsheath Avenue, had also been spoken to, the force said.
Nee has not been named by police, but Mr Kameen said the 35-year-old man who was injured in the shooting remained in hospital and would be returned to prison following treatment after having his licence revoked.
Olivia’s mother has now been released from hospital.