Chilling moment hooded gunman ambushes man and shoots him in leg as child cries in terror

A still image captures the terrifying incident to highlight the devastating impact gun crime continues to have on our streets

In a shocking incident caught on camera, a hooded shooter was filmed stalking around a vehicle to fire at a man as a mother and child ran screaming to safety. The alarming footage that has circulated on social media reveals the assailant approaching the front of a residence on Simonswood Lane in Kirkby, before discharging a single round at a 61 year-old man.

After the gunshot, a woman, thought to be a relative of the target, yells "get in the house" and hurries the elder man and the child towards the haven of their home. The cloaked figure flees the area amidst chilling screams, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Merseyside Police told the Liverpool Echo that they were summoned to the street approximately at 8.55pm on Monday, September 30. The individual who was shot was taken to hospital and is reportedly stable now.

On Tuesday October 1 a 41 year-old man from Kirkby was apprehended on suspicion of section 18 wounding with intent to imperil life, as well as having a gun with intent to put lives at risk. He has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

In response to the incident, police presence has been escalated in the community including the deployment of a mobile police unit. Officers have been granted extra stop-and-search authorities to reduce the risk of further instances up until tomorrow morning, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson from Merseyside Police's firearms investigation team, stated: "This was a deplorable attack in which the offender walked up the driveway of a home in a residential area and shot a man in the leg. While a man suffered a leg injury during the incident, there were others very close by at the time, including a young child."

"It goes without saying that the consequences of the offender pulling the trigger so close to a child and other adults could have proved unimaginably tragic. This incident serves as an unwelcome reminder of the potential harm that offenders carrying and using guns in Merseyside can bring, and only strengthens our resolve to keep taking action to take firearms off our streets."

"At this time, we are investigating if this was a targeted attack and will keep an open mind as to the motive. Anyone pulling the trigger of a firearm in a residential street risks causing serious harm or worse to anyone living nearby."

Knowsley local policing Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: "In Merseyside, we know all too well the devastation gun crime can cause. We have seen families torn apart by grief and communities rocked. We are sure that the vast majority of people in Kirkby will share our disgust that a lethal weapon has been fired outside a family home, with a child in close vicinity."

"This is a line which has been crossed before, so those within the community who hold information should search their consciences and get in touch immediately."

He added: "If you have information on where guns are stored, used or traded – no matter how insignificant it might seem – we need to know. The information we need to put a stop to gun crime in Kirkby and across Merseyside is out there – we just need you to tell us."