A murder investigation has been launched after the death of an 17-year-old who was shot in the head whilst on a motorbike in Huyton.
James Meadows was critically injured in the incident on Sunday night but was pronounced deceased on Monday evening.
A Home Office post mortem will be carried out and his family have been informed.
Officers were initially called to Lyme Cross Road at 9.40pm on Sunday to reports that the teenager had fallen off a motorbike.
The pillion passenger suffered a head injury while the rider of the bike failed to stop.
He was taken to hospital, where scans revealed a head wound consistent with being shot.
Detective Chief Inspector Bev Hyland said: “I would urge anyone who was in the area of Lyme Cross Road at around 9.30pm [on Sunday] who may have seen the motorbike travelling at speed to contact us.
“The rider of the bike left the scene and I would ask them, or anyone who knows them, to contact us as a matter of urgency as they may have information which is vital to our investigation.
“I know that incidents such as this do cause concern but I want to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
“Criminals involved in gun crime have no regard for anyone else and I would urge the local community to come together to help us take a stand against the use of firearms and violence on our streets and report anything they saw or heard to us so we can take action.”
Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious is asked to call detectives on 0800 230 0600 or the Crimestoppers line, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.