Gunman still at large as victim is discharged from hospital

A man who was shot in the head on Eastbank Street, Southport has now been released from hospital.

Christopher Jopson was hit by a shotgun on a busy Eastbank Street on December 21, 2017 – in front of hundreds of shocked Christmas shoppers.

Mr Jopson, was not seriously injured and he has now been released from hospital.

Police would like to speak to a male in connection with a firearms offence in Eastbank Street Southport on Thursday, 21 December 2017.

He is described as a white male, approx. 5’11” tall, 19-20 years of age, wearing a dark puffa style jacket with the hood pulled up tightly around his head, black scarf covering his face and grey jogging bottoms.

He was sighted prior to the incident travelling along King Street towards Eastbank Street on a dark coloured mountain bike with distinctive green handle bars. After the shooting he rode off on the same bike along Eastbank street and was last sighted in Princes Street.

Detective Inspector Richie Jones is leading the investigation “I would appeal for people to come forward with any information which could help solve this crime. It was a busy time of day, there were lots of people around so we are appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information. Members of the public might have footage on their mobile phone’s or they could have dashcam footage from their cars. Any information, no matter how small could help in this investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers on the gun crime hotline on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Information can also be provided via their online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online.