A man has been charged with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Crown prosecutors say Thomas Cashman, 34, has been charged with the murder of the girl, who was fatally shot at her home in Liverpool, and of plotting to kill her mother Cheryl.
Cashman has also been charged with knowingly killing convicted burglar Joseph Nee and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Another man, Paul Russell, 40, has been charged with aiding an offender.
Cashman and Russell, both from West Derby in Liverpool, will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday.
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CPS Announces Allegations Of Olivia’s Murder
The charges come nearly six weeks after Olivia was fatally shot in the chest at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on August 22. Her mother Cheryl was injured after being hit by a similar bullet in her wrist. .
The shooting happened after Nee tried to find her way into Olivia’s house while fleeing a gunman wearing a balaclava coat.
At a press conference Saturday, Merseyside Police Detective Superintendent Mark Kameen said “there is still a lot of direct investigation” into Olivia’s murder as he urged anyone with information to contact the force. quantity.
“At the beginning of the investigation, we were firmly committed to finding all those involved in this case,” he said.
“This includes those who have attempted to shield and protect individuals and those supplying weapons and those who are concealing the weapons used in this attack.
“Therefore, I still need people to come forward and talk to us.
“We have received a positive response and support from the public since Olivia’s tragic murder and I will ask for your continued support so we can keep our promise to our family. Olivia’s family and the local community to ensure that those involved face justice.”
Olivia’s death was one of three deadly mass shootings within a week in Liverpool.
One A £200,000 reward has been launched for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the murder of Olivia – the greatest reward in Crimestoppers history.
Her funeral took place in Liverpool last month, with many wearing pink shirts in memory of the youngster.
In an emotional statement after her death, Cheryl, Olivia’s mother, described her daughter as a “little shadow” of hers who “went everywhere with me”.
“Everybody she meets, they love her,” Ms. Korbel said. “She left a mark on everyone she met.”
In a statement following Olivia’s death, her father John Francis Pratt said his daughter’s future had been “cruelly robbed and we were deprived of a real light in her life. me”.
