Panic erupted on a busy Bootle street on Monday evening after a gunman on an e-bike opened fire, sending terrified bystanders fleeing and screaming. Merseyside Police were called to Stanley Road, at the junction with Balliol Road, shortly before 5pm on September 7, following reports that a man riding an e-bike had discharged shots from a handgun.
No injuries have been reported at this stage, though police confirmed that a nearby property had sustained damage. A substantial cordon was erected along Stanley Road, with access blocked at its junctions with Merton Road and Balliol Road.
Witness describes chaos and panic
Numerous police vehicles and officers were spotted within the cordoned area, while forensic investigators later arrived at the scene, appearing to focus their attention around a nearby bus stop. One eyewitness, who had been driving along Stanley Road at the time, told the ECHO they heard what appeared to be two gunshots. They described noticing a vehicle approximately 20 metres ahead suddenly halt before reversing back in their direction.
The witness said: "At that point, I didn't know what was", the Liverpool Echo reports. "Two people, I don't know whether they were male or female, on big black bikes like e-bikes, whizzed off around the corner. About 20 seconds later, a guy came out of Swift's pub holding a brick, with two other girls. He looked like he was looking for somebody. He and the girls were shouting. By this point, everyone had come out of the shops. People were everywhere, screaming on the street. I didn't really know what was going on."
Police appeal for witnesses and footage
Armed officers remain at the scene while detectives conduct CCTV and witness enquiries. Detective Chief Inspector Chris Saidi-Bidokhti said: "We are in the very early stages of an investigation and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed what happened or has any information which could help us with our enquiries to come forward. I would also like to appeal to anyone who lives in the area, who has CCTV footage or Ring doorbell, that may have captured the incident to get in touch. We are relentless in our pursuit of such offenders who carry dangerous weapons in our community and urge anyone who has any information to contact us so we can find those responsible."
Should you possess any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage or information regarding this incident, please reach out to Merseyside Police via their social media desk on X @MerPolCC or through Facebook at 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'. You can also submit information through the force's website, or call with log number 745 of 7 September. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. In an emergency always dial 999.
