Olivia Pratt-Korbel, age 9, ought to have been going off to sleep peacefully in the security of her family home as it was beyond her bedtime.
Instead, a horrifying series of bizarre events led to Olivia being shot and left to die at the bottom of the stairs as her mother opened the front door to look into a disturbance outside.
A kind-hearted, happy, and popular little girl who was due to enter Year 5 at her local primary school was taken from her completely innocent family yesterday. Her family is still in disbelief at the bizarre series of events.
The day had been entirely ordinary for Cheryl Korbel, 46, and her three kids at their terraced home on Kingsheath Avenue in Liverpool up until 10 p.m. on Monday.
But outside, around 100 yards down the street, not far from the intersection of Finch Lane, a violent gangland altercation broke out.
Even though it had nothing to do with the Korbel family, their tidy house was filled with misery and carnage in a matter of seconds.
Two guys were attacked by a shooter wearing a black mask, a black padded jacket, black pants, and black gloves as they were heading along Kingsheath Avenue from Finch Lane.
Police were able to collect CCTV footage that shows the two guys running for their life as the thug started shooting at them with his revolver.
Olivia’s worried mother stepped to the front door of their £100,000 home and unlocked it to look into the commotion after hearing the barrage of bullets.
Tragically, one of the frantic guys on the run may have thought that this offered a chance for safety from the barrage of gunfire.
The unidentified 35-year-old guy rushed across the Korbels’ paved front driveway in a split second and threw himself at the white front door.
The chased guy made his way into their house, hoping to flee the shooter behind him, much to the terror of Miss Korbel, who authorities said tried “very, very hard” to prevent him.
Later, as the hitman ploughed into the door, Miss Korbel attempted to slam it once more. Just as Olivia entered the hallway, the shooter managed to force a hand through the still-open door during their desperate battle.
“A shot has been fired,” stated Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, “which we think has struck Cheryl, hurting her, and then tragically wounded Olivia.”
At the bottom of the steps, the schoolgirl had been positioned squarely behind her mother.
‘Despite that horrifying situation, the assailant has continued the assault and proceeded to attempt to enter the property, and in doing so, he has fired two further rounds at the 35-year-old male who at this moment is inside Cheryl and Olivia’s home address,’ the investigator said. The attacker then exited via the front door and fled on foot.
There was bloodshed all across the hallway. Olivia had a gunshot wound to her chest and was sprawled out on the ground. Her mother was bleeding from her own wound and was in distress.
The unidentified guy who had caused this agony by picking their home as a haven was lying on the ground with two gunshot wounds to his upper torso.
The events that followed were nearly as revolting as the attack. Friends of the 35-year-old came to assist him but neglected Olivia and her mother who was dying.
The wounded guy stumbled outside as a dark-colored Audi squealed to a stop. His friends rushed him to the hospital without stopping to consider the little girl who was bleeding to death.
At the time, police and paramedics were called, and Olivia’s two older siblings as well as two neighbours who had stopped by for a cup of tea were all present in the home. Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy described the horrific incident yesterday, saying: “The man who was being chased forced his way into Olivia’s house, and the offender ran in after him firing a number of shots with complete disregard for Olivia and her family who had no connection to the gunman or the man who forced his way in.”
He was picked up by his companions and rushed to the hospital while Olivia lay dying. Olivia was so critically ill when our police arrived that they transported her to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where she tragically passed away despite the best efforts of the medical team.
The North West Ambulance Service transported her mother to Aintree Hospital, where she received treatment for her arm wound. The 35-year-old guy had surgery for a large portion of yesterday, according to the police, who have confiscated the Audi automobile and are waiting to question him. They refused to say his name.
According to sources, detectives are still attempting to identify the second individual he was with when the shooting began.
Detectives are looking into the possibility of a confrontation between rival drug and gun gangs or a connection to previous killings as reprisal in the absence of a reason for the assault.
According to one officer, the possibility of a postcode turf war, in which a gang member may have wandered into the “wrong” section of town, has not been completely dismissed.
No explanation will ever be given to Olivia’s grieving family and friends for the terrible and meaningless wasting of her young life.
The two sisters, two brothers, and their mother, who reside in the neighbourhood with Miss Korbel, gathered yesterday.
Her daughter’s headteacher encapsulated her in a moving tribute yesterday night.
The St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School community in Huyton is grieved by Olivia’s tragic passing, according to Rebecca Wilkinson, the school’s principal. We are in astonishment and shock at the awful news.
Olivia was a beloved student at our institution. She was energetic and had a fantastic sense of humour in addition to her gorgeous smile.
She was kind and would go over and above to assist others. She has a passion for acting and most recently took part in the school’s performance of The Wizard of Oz. Olivia will be sorely missed by the staff and kids.
Last night, a neighbour remarked, “You could just hear the mother screaming.” It was awful.”
A 49-year-old local resident named Helen Alohan described Kingsheath Avenue as a tight-knit neighbourhood where kids played together in the street.