COPS have launched a fresh appeal for information four years on from the murder of a man as a balaclava-clad gang continue to terrorise the city.
Sam Rimmer, 22, was fatally shot in August 2022 at Lavrock Bank, Liverpool with ten people previously arrested – but no one has been charged.
A gang suspected of the unsolved murder of a young man are still committing crime in the same area four years on Credit: Merseyside Police
Police have renewed their appeal to bring justice to the suspects Credit: Merseyside Police
It’s the four-year anniversary of when Sam was hit by one of eight bullets fired from an e-bike rider using a Czech-made military grade firearm.
He had been hanging out with friends when he was tragically caught in the crossfire of gangs battling to dominate the firearms and drugs trade.
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Detectives believe the four murder suspects are part of a gang that had previously spent hours circling the area on two bikes to “hunt” for targets.
Wearing black masks, they used a type of horn or engine noise to bait the rival group, before firing towards Sam and his friends – some of who were also hit.
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Sam Rimmer, 22, was murdered four years ago Credit: Merseyside Police
Police are still hunting for his killers Credit: Merseyside Police
The murder weapon has been identified as a Skorpion sub-machine gun – capable of firing multiple shots in a fraction of a second.
But it has never been recovered and cops are unable to hand out justice unless crucial eye witnesses come forward.
Det Ch Insp Steve McGrath told the BBC: “I would still ask [anyone] to come forward and the reason for that really is I can assure you that the people who are involved in Sam’s murder directly – those four individuals on the bike – are still involved in serious criminality in and around the Dingle area as well.”
Five days after Sam’s death, council worker Ashley Dale, 28, was found dead of a gunshot wound in a back garden in the city’s Old Swan area.
And, Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine, was also shot dead in her own home after Thomas Cashman burst into the property chasing a local criminal.
The deaths of these innocent people are as a result of a new generation of teen gangs in Merseyside using violence to replace the ‘old mafia’, according to a BBC Panorama investigation.
Speaking on the anniversary of Sam’s death, McGrath, added: “Today marks four years since Sam was murdered and I can only imagine how difficult this occasion must be for his family and friends.
“I want to reassure them, and the wider community in Dingle, that we are still just as determined to find the people responsible as we were four years ago.
“As part of our investigation we have made a number of arrests and received a lot of information from the public. We just need the final piece of the puzzle.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who holds any information whatsoever to get in touch. It’s not too late.
“We are certain that someone out there knows who is responsible and could end the family’s agonising wait for answers.
“If anyone out there is keeping information to themselves, I ask you to consider what Sam’s family are going through.
“If you haven’t already, it is now time to come forward with that information.”
Pamela Tompsett, North West Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers said: “It’s now four years on from Sam’s tragic murder, his family and friends are still waiting for answers and justice.
“It is possible that someone knows who is responsible or holds information that could help investigators but has not yet felt able to speak directly to the police.
“Crimestoppers is completely independent of the police, and anyone contacting us remains 100 per cent anonymous.
“We have no caller ID, we do not trace IP addresses, and we never ask for personal details.
“The reward of up to £20,000 is available for information we exclusively receive that leads to the conviction of those responsible for Sam’s murder.
“If you know something, however small it may seem, please tell us anonymously. Your information could be the missing piece that helps brings answers for Sam’s family and justice for those responsible.”
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk using X or Facebook @MerPolCC. or by calling 101.
