A popular Liverpool pub became caught up in the latest spate of shootings in the city as a man was wounded outside.
Emergency services were called to May Duncans in Heyworth Street at around 11.10pm on Boxing Day to reports that a 27-year-old had been shot in the leg.
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a leg injury consistent with a firearm discharge.
His condition is described as stable and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Detectives from Merseyside Police believe that the shooting was a targeted attack although the full circumstances of the incident currently remain unclear.
It came just hours after a three people were injured when shots were fired at the windows of a family home in Speke.
Chief Inspector Steve Fell said: “We are keeping an open mind as to why this has happened and the investigation is in its early stages.
“Our priority is to establish who is responsible and to bring them to justice.
“Criminals who choose to settle their disputes with a weapon do not care about the widespread fear they bring to their own communities.
“To achieve safer streets we need the public to tell us what they know about these criminals and I promise we will take robust action and put these people before the courts and in to the prisons. If you know something, hospital please come forward
“High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area and these will include officers from the specialist Matrix team working alongside neighbourhood officers.
“If anyone witnessed the incident or saw anything suspicious that could help us investigate this incident then please contact our gun crime hotline on 0800 230 0600 or leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”