Gunman on e-bike opens fire on Bootle street, bystanders flee screaming

A man on an e-bike fired shots from a handgun on Stanley Road in Bootle, Merseyside, on Monday evening. No injuries were reported but a nearby property sustained damage.

Shots fired on Stanley Road as Merseyside Police launch investigation

Armed officers cordoned off a stretch of Stanley Road in Bootle on Monday evening after a gunman on an e-bike discharged a handgun on the busy thoroughfare, the Daily Express reports. Merseyside Police were called to the junction with Balliol Road shortly before 5pm on 7 September, following reports of the shooting.

No injuries have been confirmed at this stage. Police said a nearby property sustained damage as a result of the incident. A substantial cordon was put in place along Stanley Road, with access blocked at the junctions with Merton Road and Balliol Road.

Forensic investigators arrived at the scene and were seen focusing attention around a nearby bus stop. Multiple police vehicles and officers were present within the cordoned area.

An eyewitness who was driving along Stanley Road at the time told the Liverpool Echo they heard what sounded like two gunshots. The witness described a vehicle roughly 20 metres ahead coming to a sudden stop before reversing back towards them.

"Two people, I don't know whether they were male or female, on big black bikes like e-bikes, whizzed off around the corner," the witness said. "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."

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Saidi-Bidokhti said officers were at an early stage of the investigation and appealed for witnesses to come forward. "We are relentless in our pursuit of such offenders who carry dangerous weapons in our community," he said, urging anyone with information to make contact.

Police are conducting CCTV and witness enquiries. Anyone with dashcam, doorbell or CCTV footage is asked to contact Merseyside Police via X at @MerPolCC, on Facebook at 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre', or by calling with log number 745 of 7 September. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: Daily Express