Huyton shooting: Two men in hospital with gunshot wounds after Merseyside targeted attack

Merseyside Police are tracing a gunman who shot two men in the back before speeding off in a car in Huyton.

Officers were called to Lincombe Road at approximately 3.50pm on 11 March after a man who had concealed his face got out of a car and opened fire on a group of three men.

A 17-year-old male sustained a gun shot wound to his back and was taken to hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Another man, aged 23 years, who had been with the other injured male, made his own way to hospital in a taxi. He had suffered a superficial injury to his back.

An extensive search of the area is being carried out and a stretch of the road has been cordoned off to allow for forensic examinations to take place. House-to-house inquiries are underway and CCTV opportunities are also being explored.

Detective Inspector Mike Leyland, from the Matrix Serious Organised Crime team, said: "High visibility patrols have been stepped up to reassure the local community and a thorough investigation is already underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

"Our enquiries are clearly at a very early stage, although it does appear that this was a targeted incident.

"We believe the offenders, who were in a small dark car, drove in to Lincombe Road just before 3.50pm. A man, whose face was covered, got out of the car and fired a shot at a group of three males, who were talking.

"He then got back into the car, which was last seen heading towards Huyton."

Anyone with information about this incident can call detectives at the Matrix Serious Organised Crime team on 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.