Four more people have been charged in connection with the murder of an innocent beautician and are due in court next year.
Elle Edwards, 26, was killed when Connor Chapman, then 23, fired 12 shots from a Skorpion pistol into a group of people outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Merseyside, shortly before midnight on December 24 last year.
Chapman was convicted of her murder, and seven other counts, following a three-and-a-half week trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
The killer was also convicted at Liverpool Crown Court of attempting to murder his intended targets Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy, in the culmination of a series of incidents between rival gangs on the Wirral’s Woodchurch and Ford estates.
Merseyside Police have confirmed two men, 42 and 54, and two women, both 33, were today charged with assisting an offender in connection with the murder of Miss Edwards.
Four more people have been charged in connection with the murder of innocent Elle Edwards
Miss Edwards, 26, was killed when Connor Chapman fired 12 shots from a Skorpion pistol into a group of people outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey
Miss Edwards was shot dead while enjoying drinks with friends at a pub on Merseyside. She is seen laughing with friends moments before
All four people, who cannot be named at this stage, have all been bailed to appear at magistrates court on January, 15, 2024.
A spokesperson from Merseyside Police said: “We have today, Thursday 21st December, charged four people in connection with the murder of Elle Edwards on Christmas Eve last year. A 42 year-old man from the Wallasey area, has been charged with assisting an offender,’ the Liverpool Echo reported.
Courts previously heard the attack was the culmination of a feud between groups on the Woodchurch and Beechwood estates, on either side of the M53 in Wirral.
The prosecution alleged Chapman was attempting to kill Salkeld and Duffy, both of whom were seriously injured in the shooting.
Co-defendant Thomas Waring was found guilty of the possession of a prohibited firearm and assisting an offender by helping to burn out the stolen Mercedes used in the shooting.
The jury heard Chapman laid in wait outside the pub in a stolen Mercedes for almost three hours before firing the weapon, which the court heard was capable of firing 15 rounds a second.
Liverpool Crown Court heard Connor Chapman fired 12 shots outside the Lighthouse Inn
Connor Chapman opened fire with a Skorpion sub-machine gun outside the Lighthouse
Co-defendant Thomas Waring was found guilty of the possession of a prohibited firearm and assisting an offender by helping to burn out the stolen Mercedes used in the shooting
Chapman told the jury he had not been using the vehicle, which he described as a ‘pool car’ for him and other criminals, on the night of the murder but had given the car key to another man, whom he refused to name.
CCTV footage showed the gunman drive away from the Lighthouse in the moments after the shooting and then arrive at Private Drive in Barnston, the home address of co-defendant Waring.
The man, with long hair, was seen in the footage appearing to drop the gun as he walked towards Waring’s home.
Chapman admitted a charge of handling stolen goods before the trial started and told the jury he had travelled with the unnamed man who took the car key when the Mercedes was burnt out in Frodsham, Cheshire.
He denied that Waring had been with him, although cell site evidence showed Waring’s phone travelled with the car.
Miss Edwards’s father Tim stared at Chapman as the verdicts were returned, and when he was taken from the dock said: ‘You coward.’
The moment balaclava-clad Connor Chapman blasted a crowd outside The Lighthouse pub
Tim Edwards is comforted after Chapman was found guilty of his daughter’s murder
Mr Edwards with his mother and other family outside the court after Chapman was convicted
Ms Edwards’ father, Tim, celebrates outside court after Chapman was found guilty
Speaking outside court, Mr Edwards said: ‘Those two cowards in there decided to drag it out for four weeks, put all these people through that and everyone else around it, involved in the case. I can’t thank the police enough for what they did and we got there in the end, the right result.
‘I hope them two never see another Christmas again ever in their lives.’
Senior investigating officer in the case, Detective Superintendent Paul Grounds, described Chapman as a ‘dangerous and ruthless individual’ at the time.
He said: ‘Connor Chapman knew exactly what he was doing when he left his home address on December 24, getting in a stolen car in possession of a Skorpion machine pistol.
‘He drove to the Lighthouse pub where he spent a number of hours there before finding a car parking space that gave him a real clear view of who was outside.
‘He then left his car with no regard for anybody else, intent on firing that gun at his intended targets, Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy, with not a care of what would happen to anybody else who was stood outside of the pub.’
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
