Tributes paid to beautician Elle Edwards killed in ‘cold blooded shooting’ at Wallasey pub on Christmas Eve

Tributes have been flooding in for ‘special daughter’ Elle Edwards who was shot and killed at a busy Merseyside pub on Christmas Eve.

The 26-year-old beautician was out celebrating with friends at the Lighthouse in Wallasey Village when a gunman opened fire at the front entrance of the pub just before midnight and hit her in the head.

Four men were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, and Ms Edwards was sadly pronounced dead at Arrow Park hospital. She is not believed to be the intended target of the attack.

A 30-year-old man from Tranmere has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and a 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

Flowers and other tributes have been laid at the scene of the shooting. A heart-shaped plaque bearing a pink and green floral design, read: “Special Daughter, the happiness you brought in your own special way, will be remembered with love each and every day.”

The beautician worked at local beauty salon, Nova Studio, who said their team are ‘heartbroken’. A note from her colleagues read: “Absolutely lost for words… Heaven gained the most beautiful angel. We are all heartbroken, thinking of all of your family right now Elle, thank you for all of the laughs and happiness you brought into our lives, rest in paradise angel, love from your team at Nova.”

The shooting has also been described as “heartbreaking” by Wallasey MP Dame Angela Eagle, who urged anyone with information to contact police.

Friends who were at the pub that evening described feeling “numb” when they learned Ms Edwards had been shot. They told Sky News they initially thought the gunfire was festive fireworks as the incident happened just before midnight, but they said things soon changed and “automatically everyone just stopped”.

Asked what memories they had of their friend, they described her as “so funny”, adding: “There was never a time when we’ve been out where we’ve not had a ball.”

Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs described the shooting as ‘callous and cold blooded’ and said: “No family should have to be faced with this ordeal at any time but at Christmas, which should be a time of peace and celebration, it makes is so much harder to bear.”

How to contact police

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000948723.