Man murdered by gunman cyclist in Liverpool is named as 27-year-old who survived being shot in the head in another ‘hit’ eight years ago
- Carl Russell, 27, was shot dead as he got out of a car in Belle Vale, Liverpool
- Merseyside Police are quizzing a man, 29, on suspicion of conspiracy to murder
- More than eight years ago Russell survived being shot again in the head
- He was gunned down by two masked men who burst into his home
A man gunned down in the street by a balaclava-clad cyclist had survived being shot in the head in a previous attempted ‘hit’ eight years ago.
On Sunday morning Carl Russell, 27, was fatally shot multiple times in the head and torso as he and his girlfriend got out of a car in Belle Vale, Liverpool.
Merseyside Police are currently quizzing a 29-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after warrants were carried out near Mr Russell’s home.
Carl Russell, 27, (pictured aged 18) was fatally shot in the head and torso as he and his girlfriend were getting out of a car in Belle Vale, Liverpool, on Sunday morning
Police said the gunman was riding a bicycle. Officers in Merseyside are currently quizzing a 29-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after warrants were carried out
But over eight years ago Mr Russell survived being shot again in the head, and three times to the body, by two masked men who burst into his home.
He was shot in the back of the head – but the bullet miraculously glanced off his skull and exited his scalp.
He still suffered with a deformed leg and needed crutches and a colostomy bag.
That previous incident by his Belle Vale home on New Year’s Day 2010 left Mr Russell needing emergency surgery and 14 litres of blood.
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Mr Russell, then 18, was later arrested after police searching his Belle Vale home found a loaded Glock pistol in a locked cupboard.
In October 2018, Liverpool Crown Court heard officers also found live ammunition, including five rounds inside the firearm.
Police also seized a black jacket and a face protector, covered in gunshot residue.
Prosecutor Geoffrey Greenwood said analysis of the Glock pistol revealed it was used in three separate shootings in the previous six weeks.
Pictured: Crime scene investigators tape off the spot where Russell was shot on Sunday
More than eight years ago Russell survived being shot again in the head by masked men
On November 23 2009 the weapon was used to fire at a house in Belle Vale, while a woman was at home with her child.
Just two weeks later, it was used in a nearby drive-by shooting while on December 14, the weapon was fired from a car in Belle Vale.
In interview, Mr Russell initially claimed he was forced to store the weapon about two hours before he was shot.
He later named a man he believed was responsible for the earlier shootings, but who has now been killed himself.
In October 2010 Mr Russell, then 19, admitted possessing a firearm and ammunition.
But his barrister Christopher Stables urged the court to show leniency because of the ‘exceptional circumstances’ of the case.
Officers believe the shooter, in his late 20s and of medium build, made off from the scene
He said Mr Russell was ‘unbelievably lucky to survive the attack’.
But jailing him for five years and four months, Judge Nigel Gilmour QC said: ‘You possessed the gun against a background that you were entrusted with looking after the weapon, you had gunshot residue on your clothing and that gun was used in the previous few months on three occasions.’
In September 2011, then aged 20, Mr Russell confessed to a burglary that would otherwise ‘have never come to light’ as his lawyers told a court he was determined to turn his life around.
But last Sunday a mystery killer, wearing a balaclava and high-visibility jacket, shot Mr Russell then rode off on a bicycle as horrified residents ran to help the victim.
Neighbours said children had been playing in the street shortly before armed officers and paramedics were called at 11.30am.
Yesterday DCI Mark Baker said: ‘The investigation into this shocking incident is in its very early stages.
Forensic tents were set up at the murder site in Cornwell Close as police appeal for witnesses
‘We are keen to speak to anyone who may have information which could help us establish the full circumstances and find those responsible.
‘We believe the victim was shot as he and his girlfriend were getting out of a car and that it was a targeted incident.
‘We will be looking into his movements before the incident took place and trying to establish a motive for the attack.
‘We will not be resting on our laurels, and as the activity overnight shows we are doing everything we can to find those responsible.’
DCI Baker added: ‘We share the community’s shock and concern that this could happen in a residential street in broad daylight.
‘I want to reassure the public that gun crime will not be tolerated on the streets of Merseyside at any time of day.
‘We will thoroughly investigate any information given to us so we can put anyone who carries guns on our streets behind bars.’
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