David Forbes, 42, was blasted with a shotgun by a stranger while going to a chip shop in Croxteth on February 28 2025. He is still undergoing surgeries 18 months later.
David, from Wallasey, offered to get tea for his 15-year-old stepson when he encountered a man dressed in black who pointed a shotgun at him. He described the moment: "I've crossed over the road, he's crossed over as well. I thought it was weird, all in black. I was a bit wary of him, and then I thought: 'he's coming towards me, he's getting closer'. And he mumbled something, stopped, pointed the gun down and walked back. I think he realised I'm not the guy, and because everything happened so quick I've carried on walking. I think he panicked and thought: 'I'm going to have to shoot'."
Injuries and surgeries
The gunshot left hundreds of pellets in David's legs. He underwent an 11-hour operation to save his legs. He said: "When I woke up, the first thing I said was: 'Am I going to walk again? Have I lost my legs?'" After two weeks in hospital, reconstructive surgery left his wounds open for two days before stapling. He has had upwards of 200 staples and spent nearly a day under the knife.
Weeks after release, he was readmitted with swelling and blood clots, requiring further surgery and another four weeks in hospital.
Mental impact and recovery
David struggles with PTSD, mentioning: "On Bonfire Night, fireworks going off, I was waking up with panic attacks." His partner's now 16-year-old son is uncomfortable with the front door open. David said: "I don't let anybody go to the shop now, especially when it's dark, on their own at least. We go in twos." He lost his job because he was on probation at the time of the shooting.
Attacker sentenced
Daniel Lawless, 23, also known as Daniel Williams, was jailed for 18 and a half years at Liverpool Crown Court. He admitted wounding with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. CCTV showed him producing a shotgun from a carrier bag. The gun was never recovered. In July 2025, Lawless poured boiling sugar water over his cellmate while he slept.
David faces more surgery on tendons and muscles to improve foot mobility, with recovery taking over a year and no guarantee of success.
