Published: Less than 30 min ago
The brutal murder of 26-year-old Elle Edwards shakes Britain.
Together with her friends, she was out dancing on Christmas Eve.
But a few minutes before midnight, twelve shots are fired from an automatic rifle and Elle falls to the floor.
On Christmas Eve, 26-year-old beautician Elle Edwards was out with friends at the Lighthouse Inn pub in Merseyside, outside Liverpool, to party. The night was like so many other nights of celebration with singing, dancing and drinking before it changed in an instant to a tragedy that is now shaking Britain.
– We went to the bar to get a drink and suddenly we heard bangs, like fireworks. We had been dancing and singing and now she’s on the floor, says friend Jess Sky News.
A few minutes before midnight, at least one automatic rifle fires 12 shots in in the packed bar. Several people meet, including Elle, who sinks to the floor, shot in the head. At the same time, the perpetrator flees the scene in a black Mercedes.
– I could see her on the floor, with people around her trying to help. As soon as I realized it was Elle, I just thought “no, no, no”. You feel so powerless, there is nothing you can do, says friend Jess.
Elle was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Don’t be the target
According to British police, Elle was not the target of the shooting on Christmas Eve. Presumably gangs fighting over the local drug market were behind it and one of those injured is believed to be the real target. But local police chief Con Critchley is still shocked by the brutality.
– To be murdered in this terrible and brutal way through the incredibly cowardly act is completely incomprehensible to all of us, he said standing outside the crime scene.
Several suspects arrested
A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 19-year-old man suspected of helping to plan the crime. But the police continue the hunt for the person who fired the shots and write on Twitter:
“Those who killed Elle Edwards are cowards. Everyone involved in the shooting deserves to experience every Christmas behind bars. We will do everything we can to find justice for Elle and her family.”
A country in shock
On Boxing Day, Elle’s family gathered outside the pub to say goodbye and lay flowers in her memory. Her sister, who had flown home from Dubai to celebrate Christmas with her family, was also there during Christmas Eve, but went home early. On Instagram, she says goodbye to her sister and writes about how everything could have been different if they had gone home together.
“My beautiful sister, my best friend, my second mother and my rock. I already love and miss you so, so much. I can’t stop thinking about what it would have been like if you went home too.”