Nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s family has called on people to “do the right thing” and help figure out “who took our baby from us” while paying tribute to her.
The schoolgirl died Monday night after a man was chased into her home, in the Dovecot area of Liverpoolby a masked gunman, who killed Olivia and wounded her mother Cheryl46.
In a statement issued by Merseyside PoliceOlivia’s family said: “We as a family are heartbroken and have lost a great part of our lives.
“If someone knows something, now is the time to say something. It’s not about being a “snitch” or a “grass”, it’s about finding out who took our baby from us.
“Please do the right thing.”
The family described Olivia, or Liv, as a “unique, talkative, curious girl who broke the mold when she was born”.
They said, “She loved life and all it had to offer.
“Liv loved dressing up and was very particular about how she was dressed, just like any other little girl she loved to do her makeup and nails, she was nine and turned 19.
“Liv was adored by everyone who knew her and would instantly make friends with everyone.
“She was often seen on the street and seen on her new bike that she had just received for her birthday.
“While her life was short, her personality certainly wasn’t and she lived it the best she could, and would blow people away with her humor and kindness.”
The family also thanked people around the world for their help and support, as well as Merseyside Police and the staff of both Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Aintree Hospital, where Olivia’s mother was treated for an injury to her wrist.
Everton’s manager Frank Lampard echoed the family’s message, urging people to come forward with information.
In a video posted to the team’s Twitter page, alongside the caption “Enough is enough,” he said: “After the tragic death of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, our entire community needs to come together.
“If you know anything or have any information about the incident, please let the authorities know. Sitting still is not an option. Enough is enough. Whose side are you on?”
Police revealed a number of names had been given to officers who continue to hunt down the gunman who killed Olivia.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen warned the killer, “We won’t rest until we find you, and we’ll find you.”
During a media briefing at Merseyside Police Station on Thursday, he told reporters it was unclear whether the gunman may have fled abroad, but said: “We will find him wherever he goes.”
Convicted burglar Joseph Nee, 35, of the Dovecot area of Liverpool, has been named as the intended target of the shooting.
While Olivia was dying, he was picked up by friends in a black Audi Q3 and taken to the hospital.
Police said the two people in the Audi had been tracked down and spoken to by officers.
Another man, who was with Nee at the time of the Kingsheath Avenue shooting, had also been spoken to, police said.
No has not been named by police, but Mr Kameen said the 35-year-old man injured in the shooting was in hospital and would be returned to prison after treatment after his permit was revoked.
He praised the level of community support as “phenomenal” but continued to call on anyone with information to come forward.
He added: “Again, I would like to ask those operating in the criminal fraternity to examine their consciences around these three attacks and come forward.”
Tributes, including flowers and stuffed animals, have been left near the shooting site amid shock at Olivia’s death.
The murder came 15 years after 11-year-old Rhys Jones was shot dead on his way home from football practice in Croxteth, Liverpool.