Man shot dead in Liverpool 'very well known to police'

The Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police says the man killed in a double shooting in Liverpool was very well known to police with a significant criminal background.

The force is not confirming the name of the victim, although he has been named locally as Joe Thompson.

ACC Andy Ward says the dead man’s brother was himself shot four times and seriously injured in April.

The senior officer said the family gave police no assistance in that investigation.

He added that the force is dealing with ‘criminals fighting over turf’ in a series of shootings in recent months.

But ACC Ward said the exact motive of the latest gun attack was unclear.

A man in his 20s is stable in hospital following the shooting on Ravensthorpe Green in the early hours of this morning.