Detectives investigating two shootings in Toxteth, Liverpool, within three weeks are 'keeping an open mind' about a possible connection. The most recent incident occurred at around 5pm on Friday, June 19, at Bala B's Soul Food Kitchen on Lodge Lane.
Second Shooting in Three Weeks
Armed police responded to reports of a shooting at the café. Initially, officers believed no one had been injured, but a Merseyside Police spokesperson later confirmed a man had been shot. The victim, understood to be in his 20s, has since been discharged from hospital. It is believed the victim was chased down Lodge Lane towards Sefton Park before entering the café, where he was shot. The gunman fled the scene.
A woman who works nearby reported hearing three bangs at the time of the shooting. This incident follows a shooting on June 3 near the African Caribbean Council Community Centre, where a man was shot in the arm. He ran from the centre to the corner of Carlingford Close and Selborne Street, where he collapsed and was found. The victim in that case is not cooperating with police, and detectives believe the gunman was on an electric bike and dressed in black.
Police Investigation and Search Operations
Following the June 19 shooting, police increased their presence in the area and executed a Section 60 stop and search order. On June 21, officers searched two homes on Carlingford Close and Kingsley Road in Toxteth, with armed police in attendance. The searches are linked to an ongoing investigation, though police did not specify which. A cordon was placed on Kingsley Road for a period. No arrests were made, and no items were recovered. A police helicopter also flew low over the area, and armed officers in riot gear were seen on the streets.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Nuttall said: 'Firing a gun inside a café was a dangerous and reckless act of violence where many more people could have been hurt and led to more tragic circumstances. The investigation is in the very early stages as we continue to establish what has taken place. The shooting took place at a busy time of day with lots of people in the vicinity, so I am appealing to those who we haven't already spoken to, please get in touch.'
Appeal for Information
Nuttall urged the public to check CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage for anything suspicious. 'Any information you provide, however insignificant it may seem, could be vital to our investigation. We know that guns cause misery on our streets and we would ask for the public's help in coming forward with any information they have so we can find the person or people responsible. Merseyside Police is committed to removing firearms from our streets and bringing those who carry or use them to justice.'
A force spokesperson added that anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC quoting incident number 809 of June 19, or call 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
