The Crown Prosecution Service announced that a man has been accused of firing shots at three different places in Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
Leslie Garrett, 49 years old, is facing charges for possessing a firearm with the intent to harm someone’s life, as well as possessing a firearm with the intent to instill fear and attempting to commit robbery.
He also has one count of possessing ammunition without a certificate.
Initial reports of gunfire were reported from a store in Norris Green, followed by additional incidents occurring outside a movie theater in Croxteth and at a nearby residence. No injuries were reported.
Law enforcement was summoned to the News and Booze establishment, also recognized as Sangha newsagents by the community, on Lower House Lane in response to information that a male individual had entered the premises around 8pm. The individual reportedly intimidated the store employee and demanded money before discharging a firearm and exiting the store without obtaining any cash.
Shortly before 8:50pm, law enforcement received another report of gunshots being discharged outside the Showcase Cinema located at Stonedale retail park. According to the report, a man carrying a firearm allegedly threatened two employees in the lobby and proceeded to fire several shots into the air before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
Additional information was received that there were reports of gunfire at a residence on Malpas Road around 10:20pm.
Garrett was taken into custody by armed officers in Fazakerley following the use of a stun gun, and has remained in detention since then.
Jenn Wilson, assistant chief constable, said: “The shocking and distressing impact these incidents will have had on the shop assistant, the staff at the Showcase Cinema and those filmgoers who found themselves in a lockdown situation in the complex after shots were fired outside the cinema, and the residents of Malpas Road, cannot be underestimated.”
She added that there will be continued high-visibility patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the local community.
On Saturday, Garrett will make an appearance at Liverpool Magistrates Court.
Source: theguardian.com
