Newsagent dies in shop shooting

Police are examining CCTV footage as part of the murder investigation

A newsagent has been found shot dead at his shop on Merseyside.

The man, in his 40s, was shot once in the chest at Carol's newsagent in Page Moss Parade, Knowsley, some time before 0730 BST.

A member of the public, believed to be a customer, found him on the floor behind the counter and called the ambulance service who alerted police.

The shopkeeper, who was from the Yemeni community, died at the scene shortly after officers arrived.

Possible robbery

The newsagent, on Dinas Lane in the Huyton area of Knowsley, was open for business at the time of the discovery.

Police think the shopkeeper may have been a victim of a robbery, but are not ruling out other lines of inquiry as current reports do not indicate that anything was stolen.

The shop has been sealed off and officers are looking at CCTV pictures and conducting house-to-house inquiries in the area.

A post-mortem examination on the victim is expected to be carried out later.

Det Supt Paul Richardson said officers were now looking for one man, not believed to be from the Yemeni community, in connection with the shooting and added that it was not thought the attack was racially motivated.

"It is very, very tragic that a man at the peak of his life in terms of his business and in general has had his life taken away," he said.

"I would like to say it is an isolated incident but I would urge anyone with any information to contact the police.

Community devastated

"A gentleman customer called for the assistance of a taxi driver outside the newsagents but I don't believe the customer was there at the time of the shooting.

"There is nothing concrete that would suggest that it is racially motivated."

A Merseyside Police spokesman added: "Officers are keen to trace a man who is thought to have been in the area at the time. He is described as a white man, between 25 and 35 years old, with a medium build and dark hair."

Residents living near to the scene said the community was "devastated" by the death.

Ann Walsh, 61, who lives near the newsagent, said: "The man who owns the shop was called Abdul. He was lovely to the kids.

"Everyone's devastated, we just can't believe it. It's on your own front door.

"All the kids loved him around here. They are all crying their eyes out."

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about the attack to contact them.