Police appeal to trace car seen at time of 'targeted' shooting of woman in Moreton
The murder of a woman who was shot dead in Wirral was a "targeted attack", police say as they appeal for help to trace the movements of a car seen at the time of the shooting.
Merseyside Police were called to a house in Moreton, Wirral, in the early hours of Sunday, 30 October, after a report that the woman's body had been found.
The 53-year-old, who has not been formally identified, sustained a gun shot wound to her chest and was pronounced dead at the scene, a force spokesperson said.
A 79-year-old man, who was known to the victim, was arrested on suspicion of murder, but has since been released under investigation pending further inquiries.
Police are appealing for anyone who saw the incident, on Meadowbrook Road at about 1:45am, to contact them.
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “We are very much open-minded at this time.
“What I’m trying to say is this isn’t a random attack – as far as we’re aware, it’s a targeted attack, but of course we’re keeping our mind open as to the motivation of the attack.”
Police also appealing for anyone who saw a dark vehicle with up to three people inside, in the area at the time. It was later found burnt out on Garden Hey Road.
The woman has not yet been formally identified but her next of kin have been notified, police said.
Superintendent Matt Moscrop said the incident has shocked the community.
“This is very unusual for the area,” he said. “It’s a quiet residential area where we don’t really see any incidents of this kind, so understandably it’s shocking and disturbing for the community.
“We’d reassure people this appears to be a targeted incident. We don’t believe there’s any threat or risk to the wider community.”
Anyone with information is asked to direct message @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000796038.
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