Police also confirmed that a man who was arrested has since been released on bail.
12:44, Jul 19, 2024Updated 12:44, Jul 19, 2024
A firearm and ammunition have been recovered by police as part of a murder investigation following the shooting of Rikki Berry. Known locally as ‘Nuggy’, Mr Berry was shot dead outside a house on Quarryside Drive in Kirkby shortly after 6.30pm on Wednesday 17 July.
Police attended the scene and he was taken to hospital by paramedics where he was sadly pronounced dead a short time later. His family is being supported by specialist family liaison officers.
Yesterday (Thursday 18 July) Merseyside Police cordoned off a vacant lot near Domingo Drive, just a mile from where Mr Berry was shot dead in his garden. Officers found a revolver and ammunition which were recovered by forensic experts. It is not yet known whether this is the weapon used to kill Mr Berry.
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Merseyside Police also confirmed to the ECHO that a 20-year-old man from Kirkby who was arrested on suspicion of murder has since been released on bail.
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Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson of our Firearms Investigation Team (FIT): “As with all discoveries of this type, investigative work will now be carried out to establish whether this weapon has been used in any firearms incidents, either in Merseyside or further afield. We cannot confirm at this stage whether the weapon is linked to the murder of Rikki Berry, but appropriate enquiries will be made.
“The removal of all viable firearms from circulation is of course welcome news for our communities, and we will continue to respond to all information that comes to us regarding the ownership, use and storage of weapons. Key to this is gathering information from communities that may be seriously impacted by violent crime where they are located.
“We work closely with our residents, businesses and partners to reduce the harm caused by violent crime in Merseyside. If you have any concerns about speaking to the police, please be assured that we will treat your information with care and you also have the option of contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”You can contact us via @MerPolCC on X, ‘Merseyside Police’ on Facebook, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
