Driver killed with single bullet

The man was shot dead at the wheel of his Land Rover

A man shot dead as he was driving in Merseyside was killed by a bullet through the windscreen in what police believe was a targeted attack.

The 35-year-old man, who has not yet been named but is known to police, was hit in the head as he drove a gold Land Rover along Mackets Lane in Halewood.

The man's car crashed into a Ford Focus following the attack on Saturday night.

Police said they did not want to speculate about the motive, but said it did not appear to be a random attack.

Motive unclear

The 36-year-old male driver of the Ford, who was not connected with the shooting, suffered minor injuries.

Mackets Lane, around the junction with Yew Tree Road, has been closed while inquiries are carried out.

There is a gun crime problem, but it's something we're working very hard to eradicate Ch Supt John Young

Police are appealing for witnesses to the murder, which happened at about 2115 GMT.

They say people living in the area should not be alarmed.

Ch Supt John Young of Merseyside Police said: "There is a gun crime problem, but it's something we're working very hard to eradicate.

"We don't think that it is a random shooting.

"At this moment in time I wouldn't really want to speculate as to the motive, but it certainly doesn't appear to be random.

"It appears that the driver was shot whilst driving along Mackets Lane and suffered injuries which proved to be fatal."

The man, who is understood to be from the local area, died at the scene shortly after paramedics arrived.

Commenting on the nature of the shooting, Ch Supt Young added: "Our firearms officers say they couldn't attempt to shoot someone like that.

"We don't think it's been an expert gunman."

Officers have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries and looking at CCTV footage as part of the investigation.