Man, 34, charged with murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Merseyside Police have been giving a press conference this evening
Last updated 1st Oct 2022
A 34-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool.
In a press conference this evening (Saturday 1 October), Merseyside Police confirmed they'd charged Thomas Cashman from Grenadier Drive, West Derby.
He's also been charged with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.
A second man, Paul Russell, 40, from Snowberry Road, West Derby has been charged with assisting an offender.
Both men wil appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday 3 October.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, said: "Our work continues in earnest. At the beginning of the investigation we were firm in our commitment to finding all of those involved in this case, which includes the people who have tried to shield and protect individuals, and those who have supplied the weapon or are hiding the weapons used in this incident.
"We have had an overwhelming response and support from the public since the tragic murder of Olivia and I would ask for your continued support so we can keep the promise we made to Olivia’s family and the local community to ensure that those involved face justice.
"Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
"If you have any CCTV/dashcam/smart doorbell footage that could help our inquiries they can be downloaded on the dedicated public portal for Olivia's murder, which will go straight through to the investigation team. Footage can be submitted here Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).
"Finally, our thoughts today are with Olivia’s Mum and Dad, Cheryl and John Francis, and their families, who throughout the last few weeks have shown incredible strength, courage, and dignity."
Olivia Pratt-Korbel was killed when a gunman chased another man into her home in the Dovecot area of Liverpool, on 22 August.
The nine-year-old's mother Cheryl Korbel was also injured during the incident as she tried to stop a gunman from entering their house.
Crimestoppers previously offered a ÂŁ200,000 reward for information which leads to a conviction relating to Olivia's death.
The cash sum was the most offered by the charity in its history.
Olivia's Funeral
Last month, Olivia's mother said her final "goodnight" to her daughter, when hundreds turned out for her funeral at St Margaret Mary's Church in Dovecot, close to where the shooting happened.
Mourners at the service were asked to wear a "splash of pink" which was Olivia's favourite colour.
Delivering the eulogy at the funeral, Cheryl Korbel described the schoolgirl as chatty and bubbly.
She also said her daughter was "very independent" and "loved to think she was an adult."