A Wirral church will hold an afternoon of prayer on New Year’s Eve for Elle Edwards, who was shot dead in a local pub on Christmas Eve.
Canon Philip Moor, parish priest of the Church of the Holy Apostles and All Saints in Wallasey, said that the community was “extremely shocked and saddened to hear about the tragic shooting” and “devastated by this terrible event”.
Miss Edwards, a 26-year-old beautician, was killed after a gunman opened fire at a crowd outside the Lighthouse Inn just before midnight on Christmas Eve. Four men were also injured in the attack, one critically.
In a statement issued by the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Canon Moor said: “The Lighthouse pub is right at the heart of our community and my own niece and nephew were there, along with so many others at the time of the incident.
“The Lighthouse for many years has been the place to gather for our young people.”
Prayers have been said for Miss Edwards and others affected by the shooting at Masses at Holy Apostles and Martyrs’.
Canon Moor said that the church, which is less than half-a-mile from the Lighthouse, will be open 2-5pm tomorrow, 31 December, “for all in the local community to have an opportunity to come together and have some quiet time, light a candle and say a prayer or simply have a cuppa and a chat”.
He added: “In this Christmas season, we pray that the peace of Jesus is with us and all in our local community at this difficult time.”
Merseyside Police have arrested two men and a woman in connection with the murder. Reports have linked the shooting with local drug gangs, but it is not believed that Miss Edwards was the intended target of the attack.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley said that her death was “the most appalling and callous murder”.
The Anglican Bishop of Birkenhead, Julie Conalty, said that she was praying for all the victims of the shooting.
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