Hunt for gunman after man shot dead while on day release from prison

A gunman who killed a man while he was on day release from prison remains on the run six years on.

Carl Russell was visiting his family in the Belle Vale area of Liverpool on October 7, 2018. He was on day release from jail when he was ambushed after he stepped out of his girlfriend's car outside the home.

The gunman, who was wearing an orange high-vis jacket and was riding a pedal bike, shot and killed Mr Russell with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Since the shooting, three men have been arrested in connection with the murder but no-one has ever been charged despite a £20,000 reward for information that leads to conviction.

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Mr Russell's family said the planning involved in the killing 'never really sat right' as only a handful of people knew he was visiting them that morning. Below, exactly six years on, our colleagues at the Liverpool Echo take a look back at the case and where the investigation stands now.

Mr Russell was known to police and had previously served a prison sentence for possession of a firearm - an offence which came to light after he survived a separate attempt on his life in 2010. Previous ECHO reports revealed he was critically injured when two gun-wielding men entered his home on New Year's Day.

Mr Russell miraculously survived that attack despite being shot in the back of the head. After the shooting officers found a Glock 9mm handgun in his home as well as live ammunition.

Officers at Merseyside Police investigating his murder previously told the ECHO the force "remained open minded" about links to previous shootings. At the time of his death in 2018, Mr Russell was serving a nine-month sentence for dangerous driving but had been let out on day release.

Detectives previously told the ECHO they were also open minded about how the gunman knew when to strike as very few people knew Mr Russell was out of prison and visiting family. Speaking previously to the ECHO at Merseyside Police's HQ ahead of the fifth anniversary of Mr Russell's death, the detectives in charge of the case revealed information about witnesses they wanted to speak to.

Detective Inspector Sarah Wilkinson said: "We are really keen to speak to the driver, or anyone who has got information, with regards to a white 53 plate Nissan Primestar van, which we believe was on the estate at the time of Carl's murder. We are also hoping to speak to a taxi driver who may have overheard a conversation that day, from a fare who may have information regarding that van.

"We believe the taxi driver has approached the police at the scene on the day but we have been unable to identify him since." Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye added: "...we have made a number of arrests, but I am still very keen to talk to anyone who was around at the time of the shooting.

"This incident happened in broad daylight at around 11.30am on a Sunday when there would have been people around. Over the years, allegiances can change and hopefully a £20,000 reward from Crimestoppers will be a strong incentive for anyone with information to come forward.

"We are particularly keen to speak to a male wearing high-vis clothing and riding a bike who was seen in the area at the time of the shooting. He is described as white, in his late 20s at the time, of medium build, dressed all in black and wearing a high-vis orange jacket, which was dark blue at the bottom and had a reflective band.

"Do you know who this man is? We believe he could have vital information which could assist our investigation and I would urge anyone who recognises him – or the man himself – to do the right thing and come forward."

Speaking last year in the reward appeal, which is still active on the Crimestoppers website, north west manager Gary Murray said: "We know how difficult it can be for people to speak up and pass on what they know which is why Crimestoppers exists. Our charity, which is completely independent of the police, has always kept our guarantee of 100% anonymity to everyone who contacts us.

"That means no police, no courts, no witness statements. Essentially, when you contact Crimestoppers via our website or call our 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111, once you’re done there is no comeback. No one will ever know you contacted us and your information could protect Liverpool from more harm and help the family and friends of Carl see justice."

Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in the area at the time, or has any information can contact Merseyside Police via 101, the social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook.

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