Four arrested in connection with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool
Detectives investigating the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel have been granted a further extension of 36 hours to continue questioning three men arrested on Sunday 4 September.
Those being questioned are a 34-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and a 41-year-old man from Knowsley and a 29-year-old man, who have both been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
A fourth man who was arrested last night, Sunday 4 September, is still being interviewed by detectives.
The 34-year-old, from Liverpool, was stopped 130 miles away from the city on the M42 on Sunday, 4 September.
Merseyside Police say he was driving on the motorway when he was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and the car he was in was seized.
Police detained two men in the Runcorn area in the early hours of Sunday.
A 34-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
A man, 41, from Knowsley, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Officers then executed warrants at two addresses in Liverpool, arresting a 29-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Detective Chief Superintendent and Head of Investigations, Mark Kameen continued his appeal for anyone with information about Olivia's murder to speak to police.
He said: “A number of people have been arrested in respect of this investigation.
"However, we still need the public’s help in ensuring that we can a build a strong evidential picture so justice is served for Olivia and her family.
“With this, I appeal for those who may have information, no matter how small, that could continue to help our inquiries to contact us directly or anonymously and we will do the rest.”
The schoolgirl was at home with her mum, Cheryl, and older siblings in Kingsheath Avenue, when a gunman burst through the door on Monday, 22 August.
The unknown man, who was armed with two guns, was chasing another man who had forced his way into the house.
Olivia, who was due to start school, was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital by police officers who found her, but died an hour later of her injuries.
The family of the schoolgirl released details of her funeral last week, asking everyone who attends to wear "a splash of pink".
She will be laid to rest after a service at St Margaret Mary's, the church associated with her school, in Dovecot, on Thursday, 15 September.