Elle Edwards: Community mourns beautician, 26, shot dead in bar on Christmas eve
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Tributes have been pouring in for a 26-year-old beautician who was shot dead in a pub over the weekend. Elle Edwards was celebrating Christmas eve on Saturday, December 24 with her friends in the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey, a village near Liverpool, when a gunman entered and opened fire in the pub.
The Liverpool Police department attended the crime scene at 11.50 pm after reports of a gun being fired, with four men also injured in the incident. Police said the alleged suspect fled the scene in a dark vehicle, believed to be an A-Class Mercedes Benz, which was driven by another young male. According to the Liverpool Echo, people present at the scene tried to give Edwards CPR before she was rushed to Arrowe Park hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
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Edwards was not the intended target, according to Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs, who noted that the gunman fired several shots outside the bar before fleeing away. "Tragically the victim, a 26-year-old woman, had suffered a serious gunshot injury to her head," DI Coombs revealed. "What her family is now going through is incomprehensible. It's very early stages of the investigation but we do not believe that the victim, in this case, has been targeted."
DI Coombs confirmed that the horrific attack also left four other men severely injured, including the 28-year-old, who is currently fighting for his life in hospital. A 22-year-old man was injured in his legs, a 24-year-old suffered a hand injury and a 33-year-old was injured in the wrist. Police say none of the injuries are life-threatening.
Elle's death has sent shockwaves across the close-knit Wallasey Village. Local studio Nova Beauty, where she worked, said the staff was "heartbroken" on hearing the news. "Absolutely lost for words … Heaven gained the most beautiful angel. We are all heartbroken, thinking of all of your family right now Elle, thank you for all of the laughs and happiness you brought into our lives, rest in paradise angel, and love from your team at Nova," the studio wrote in a post.
Tyreece Hon, one of Edwards' close friends, described her as a "big sister." "So last night this angel gained her wings and headed to the stars. Ellie, you was always a big sister to me in my eyes and I can’t believe you’ve been taken from us so soon. My heart goes out to your family who took me in as a son love you loads. Shine bright you crazy diamond. Till we shall meet again," he wrote. Friend Taylor Southern said on Facebook, "She was one of the most beautiful girls in Wallasey inside and out... I hope you're shining beautifully up there." Another friend, Britt Hughes, said, "Christmas will never be the same again" after her tragic passing and that she "made me so happy inside when she walked in the room." She added that Edwards would leave her in"'fits of laughter" and she would be "so missed my beautiful bestie."
The pub said in a statement, "Last night there was a tragedy beyond words in our pub’s car park. All our thoughts are with the friends and family of our customers and in particular, our hearts go out to the family of our customer who has lost her life. We are completely shocked by this and are also truly sorry that we can no longer go ahead with our Christmas Day bookings today. We have provided the police with CCTV footage and our priority is supporting everyone who has been impacted."
Wallasey MP Dame Angela Eagle described the shooting as "heartbreaking." "My thoughts are with the family of the woman who has died and those who are injured. Anyone with any information please tell the police," she urged.