Gun victim fought his killer

Gun victim fought his killer

Detectives are trying to establish a motive for the killing

A man who was shot in front of his partner and young son fought with the gunman before he was killed, police have said.

Peter Singleton, who suffered head and stomach injuries in the incident in West Kirby, was also "known to police".

The car dealer was chased across Column Road and fought with his killer in the front gardens of three houses before he was shot, Merseyside Police confirmed.

Mr Singleton, 26, was confirmed dead in hospital, after being shot close to the junction with Grange Cross Lane, at about 1930 GMT on Thursday.

His partner Lesley Quinn and two-year-old son Connor were just yards away when the shooting took place.

[The family] were obviously in danger and that causes us extreme concern

Detective Superintendent Russ Walsh

A doctor living nearby tried to help him, but Mr Singleton's injuries were too severe.

The gunman escaped in a white van which was later found burnt out nearby.

At a press conference on Friday, Detective Superintendent Russ Walsh, refused to say why Mr Singleton was known to the force.

He said: "This was carried out in front of Mr Singleton's partner and two-and-a-half-year-old son.

Motive unknown

"They were obviously in danger and that causes us extreme concern.

"Mr Singleton took evasive action but I don't know whether it is a case of simply running away or running away to put some distance between himself and his partner."

Mr Walsh said a motive for the killing had not been established.

He said Miss Quinn, had been left "distressed and frightened" by her ordeal.

'Extremely distressed'

He said: "The child was still inside the vehicle, but certainly the partner will have seen the shooting and the struggle.

"As you can imagine, she is extremely distressed and frightened."

The couple originally came from the Tuebrook area of Liverpool. They moved to West Kirby last June.

Detectives are not currently linking the shooting with any others, and are appealing for witnesses.