Target of shooting that killed Olivia Pratt-Korbel named as convicted burglar
The intended target in the shooting that killed Olivia Pratt-Korbel has been named as convicted burglar Joseph Nee.
The 35-year-old, from Dovecot, Liverpool, was the man chased in to the nine-year-old's home and shot by the killer of Olivia.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that the man who was chased had been arrested for breaching the terms of his release from prison and will be questioned in connection with Olivia’s murder.
Nee remains in hospital in a stable condition, where he has been detained. It is believed that he will be recalled to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Officers also confirmed the man arrested will be further questioned in connection with the murder.
A statement from Merseyside Police said: “A 35-year-old man, suspected to have been the target of the shooting, has been detained in hospital on a prison recall after breaching the terms of his licence.
“He will be recalled to prison to serve the remainder of his licence. He will be further questioned in connection with the murder and remains in a stable condition.”
Olivia was fatally shot in her own home in the Dovecot area of Liverpool on Monday night when Nee forced his way in as he tried to escape the gunman chasing him.
Watch: Intended victim of gunman who killed Olivia Pratt-Korbel arrested
Nee suffered gunshot wounds to his upper body after entering the home and, as Olivia lay dying, was picked up and taken to hospital by friends driving a dark-coloured Audi.
The crimes which put Nee behind bars are not thought to have been firearms-related or involving serious violence, and the alleged breach of his licence conditions is as a result of Monday’s shooting.
He is not believed to have been living in probation-run accommodation, and his case is yet to be referred to the Parole Board, which reviews offenders who are recalled to prison to decide when they can be re-released.
Olivia’s death is one of three fatal shootings in the area in the space of a week, and comes 15 years after 11-year-old Rhys Jones was fatally shot on his way home from football practice in Croxteth, Liverpool.
Merseyside Police carried out a series of raids targeting gun crime in the city on Wednesday as tributes continued to pour in for the schoolgirl.
The force’s Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said the “shocking” killing “crosses every single boundary” as the force appealed to the “criminal fraternity” in Liverpool for information, urging someone to turn in the gunman.
Olivia was at home with her two older siblings when her mother Cheryl Korbel opened the door after hearing gunshots fired outside.
Ms Korbel, 46, was shot in the wrist as she tried to close the door on the gunman while Olivia stood behind her.
The gunman was wearing a black padded jacket, a black balaclava with a peak, dark trousers and black gloves, and had fired shots at two men walking along Kingsheath Avenue, causing them to flee.
Tributes including flowers and teddies have been left near the scene of the shooting amid shock at Olivia’s death.
She went to St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School in Huyton, where she was thought of as a kind-hearted, helpful and happy little girl, according to her headteacher Rebecca Wilkinson.
Ms Wilkinson said: “Olivia was a much-loved member of our school. She had a beautiful smile, a lovely sense of humour and a bubbly personality.
“She was kind-hearted and would go out of her way to help others.”