A MAN has been arrested after a gunman opened fire at a packed cinema where families watching the new Wonka were left in terror.
The shooter opened fire at the Showcase Cinema de Lux in Liverpool last night.
The scene after the horror shooting in Liverpool last night
Families had been watching Wonka at the Showcase Cinema de Lux in Liverpool
Police say the man had first entered a nearby newsagents at 8pm and threatened the store assistant and demanded cash before firing a gun and leaving the store empty handed.
The shop assistant was not injured during the incident.
Less than an hour later he entered the cinema complex and threatened two members of staff in the foyer, before leaving.
When he got outside he fired a number of shots in the air before escaping in a car. No one was injured.
At about 10.20pm more gun shots were heard at a property on Malpas Road.
This morning cops revealed a 49-year-old man from Fazakerley was arrested by Armed Response Officers at 4.46am this morning.
Cops say when officers attended the property the male was aggressive and a Taser was deployed.
The man, who was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Section 1 firearm with intent to endanger life and robbery, has been taken to a police station in Merseyside where he remains in custody.
Armed police last night poured into the area and families were escorted to safety from the cinema off the East Lancs Road.
A dad who took his daughter to see Wonka said he was kept in the cinema for 45 minutes.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo he said : “As we came out of the cinema screen the armed police response team was running in.
“I was talking to the girl on the desk, apparently a fella had pointed a shotgun at her. She was in shock.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson, said: “I can report that a 49-year-old man has been arrested following three firearms discharges in the Croxteth and Norris Green areas last night.
“Thankfully incidents like this, involving a single offender in three separate shootings in close proximity and quick succession, are extremely rare and this is the first time we have had to deal with an incident of this nature on the streets of Merseyside.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
8pm – News and Booze store on Lower House Lane, Norris Green
A man threatened the store assistant and demanded cash before firing a gun and leaving the store empty handed.
The shop assistant was not injured during the incident, but extremely distressed by the ordeal. No damage was caused to the shop.
8.50pm – Showcase Cinema on Stonedale retail park in Croxteth
A man armed with a gun entered the cinema complex and threatened two members of staff in the foyer, before leaving.
When he got outside he fired a number of shots in the air before escaping in a car.
No one was injured during this incident and no damage was caused.
10.20pm – Malpas Road
More gunshots are heard. No one was injured during the incident.
4.46am – Fazakerley
Armed police arrested a 49-year-old man at a property on suspicion of possession of a Section 1 firearm with intent to endanger life and robbery.
“The shocking and distressing impact these incidents will have had on the shop assistant, the staff at the Showcase Cinema and those filmgoers who found themselves in a lockdown situation in the complex after shots were fired outside the cinema and the residents of Malpas Road cannot be underestimated.
“Officers were on the ground immediately following the first incident and were able to respond swiftly to the subsequent discharges, and a male was identified. located and arrested on suspicion of all three discharges within 13 hours.
“High visibility patrols will remain in the area to reassure members of the local community.
“Those affected by the incidents can get help from Victim Care Merseyside, who have trained staff who act as a single point of contact for all victims and survivors, offering access to free, confidential advice and support. This includes access to a range of specialist support services delivered by 10 independent local organisations providing bespoke, dedicated care to victims of crime.
“Firearms have no place on our streets and we are committed to arresting those involved in gun crime and taking firearms off our streets.
“I would appeal to anyone who has information about those involved in gun crime, or who knows were weapons are being stored to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 so we can further reduce the harm caused by these weapons in our communities.”
“If you saw what happened or have any mobile or CCTV footage of the incidents please contact us as a matter of urgency as you may have information which is vital to our investigation. Any information provided will be acted upon.
“Information from our community is vital if we are to stop people carrying out such attacks in Merseyside that causes such violence on our streets.”
A spokesperson for Showcase Cinemas said: “We are aware of an incident at our cinema and surrounding area in Liverpool.
“The safety and welfare of our staff and customers is always our number one priority and we can confirm no one was injured.
“We would like to thank our team members and the local police for their swift responses to this active investigation.”
Anyone with footage or information is asked to DM @MerPol or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 928 of Wednesday 3 January.
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