A WOMAN and man from Liverpool have been arrested following the murder of Ashley Dale who was shot dead in her garden.
The 28-year-old council worker was killed on Sunday – with a man arrested on suspicion of murder in Formby, Merseyside, last night.
A woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Despite the double arrest, police officers have said enquiries are still ongoing and urged the public to come forward with any information of the “callous attack”.
They specifically asked people walking close to the scene at the time to come forward to help the investigation as well.
Ashley’s death came the day before another shock shooting in Liverpool which killed nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel – neither victims are thought to have been the intended targets.
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The council worker was enjoying a night in when one of the indiscriminately-fired shots hit her.
Detectives dashed to Leinster Road in Old Swan, Merseyside at around 12.40am early on Sunday following reports of concern for a woman at the property.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and found Ashley in the back garden with gunshot wounds to her body.
Paramedics provided CPR and rushed her to hospital but sadly she could not be saved. Ashley died a short time later in hospital.
A cordon remains in the area whilst investigations continue and CCTV and forensic enquiries are being carried out nearby.
Following enquiries, a man and a woman from Liverpool were arrested last night and taken into custody for questioning.
Speaking at a conference about a spate of murders in the city, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen updated reporters on Ashley’s murder.
He confirmed the arrest of the man and woman, adding: “Inquiries are continuing around those two individuals.”
He said: “In my first appeal, I asked for people to come forward who were on foot in the streets in Leinster Road, and that appeal still stands.”
The detective said there would have been people heading home from a night out, or “milling around in the street” and he urged them to come forward.
“If you have any information in relation to this murder investigation, please support the police inquiry,” he said.
In a statement, Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings also said: “Our thoughts remain with Ashley Dale’s family and friends following this appalling incident which led to her tragic death.
“Our officers have now made two arrests last night. Enquiries continue to establish the motive behind this attack, and identify all those involved.
“This was a callous attack carried out on a residential street which has brought tragedy to the heart of a community in Merseyside, and we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
“Although we have made two arrests we still need members of the public to come forward with information too so we can keep our streets safe.
“From extensive ongoing CCTV enquiries, Detectives know there were people walking close to the scene at the time of the offence. If this was you, please come forward as you may without realising hold vital information to assist this investigation.
“Similarly, I would ask taxi and delivery drivers if they were driving in the area between 12.20am and 12.40am and have dashcam footage please contact us.”
Please submit any information you have directly with our investigation team through our online portal: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk). This will make sure that your information is received and acted on as quickly as possible by detectives.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
