A stray bullet went through a pensioner's living room window just months before the fatal shooting of Sam Rimmer.
The ECHO can exclusively reveal there was a shooting on Lavrock Bank, Dingle – the road where Sam Rimmer was shot a year ago today – in April 2022. This information was previously unknown – but residents on the cul-de-sac told the ECHO this week that a stray bullet punctured a living room window while the house's occupants were inside.
The occupant, who the ECHO has chosen not to name, said: "The bullet went through my window and across my living room. I was in the house when it happened. I didn't even know about it. I thought the noise was from the tele. We only noticed when my daughter said there was a single beam of light going across the room."
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A spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed the firearms incident, which happened on April 8 last year, resulted in damage to a house. No injuries were reported and at this time there have also not been any arrests. The spokesperson confirmed enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to come forward.
The ECHO visited Dingle this week to mark the first anniversary since Sam, a 22-year-old mechanic and dad-to-be, was gunned down while standing with friends. He was shot by four gunmen dressed in black who used two electric bikes to quickly escape the area after they sprayed a number of bullets from a Skorpion machine pistol.
Merseyside Police confirmed a bullet fired in the drive-by shooting hit one of the houses in the cul-de-sac. Ten arrests have so far been made in relation to the shooting, but no one has been charged at this time. All arrested remain on police bail.
The woman whose house was hit in last April's shooting added: "With Sam's shooting, I was just going to bed and heard the popping and thought it was kids' fireworks. I came out and my neighbour said a young boy had been shot.
"Everyone was gobsmacked. We couldn't believe how close it was. Sprayed bullets went into my house before and it could have happened again. It's the only time I've ever felt unsafe in my own house."
Sam was described as "caring and loyal" by his mum Joanne, who released a video of her son dancing with his friend David on his last Christmas with his family. Appealing to the public, Joanne said: "Since 16 August 2022, time has stood still. Smiles have disappeared, joy is absent and we live each day with a heavy heart. We just exist. My family and I are broken and torn apart by grief.
"We are unable to move forward in rebuilding our lives without justice for Sam. I appeal to anyone who has information that will lead to the conviction of Sam's murderers. I am asking you to search your heart and conscience; to speak out and do the right thing.
"You cannot take a life and escape punishment. These people need to pay for mercilessly taking Sam's life. They will lose their freedom but their mothers will still be able to see, speak to and hold their sons. I will never see my son, hear his voice or feel his arms hugging me again.
"There are no words to describe the pain of losing a child. I hope no more families have to go through the hell we are living. Please come forward and help bring closure for our family. As long as there is breath in my lungs, I will continue to fight this fight until justice prevails."
Speaking on Crimewatch Live on the BBC in October last year, Detective Chief Inspector Stephen McGrath appealed for people to come forward with information regarding the "premeditated attack". CCTV footage from Merseyside Police showed the journey the two bikes made in the minutes after Sam's murder. The police traced the suspects from the scene at Lavrock Bank at 11.36pm through to Hunts Cross Avenue in Woolton, where the last sighting took place at 12.04am.
Speaking a year on from the incident, DCI McGrath said: "Although we have made 10 arrests across Liverpool since the murder our enquiries remain ongoing. We believe there are people living in Dingle, Toxteth and the surrounding area who hold vital information that will help us find anyone responsible for Sam’s death.
"We will review any new information you share with us so please contact us immediately if you have anything that could help us bring justice for Sam. If you heard anything, witnessed the shooting one year ago on Tuesday 16 August, and saw the bikes involved at around 11.40pm please get in touch.
"Any information passed on to us will be handled with care and sensitivity, and we can put extensive measures in place to protect those brave enough to come forward. Our detectives will fully assess your information and do all we can to trace any suspects.
"Please help us give Sam’s family the answers they deserve after such a heart-breaking year without him by reporting any information about that night, no matter how small, to police."
Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in the area at the time, or has any information is urged to contact police via the following link: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).
You can also contact the police via the social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter, or alternatively leave information anonymously and for free with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, with reference number 22000603397. You can also use their online form anonymously: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online.
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