Second man arrested in Bootle off-licence shooting probe 2026

Key Points

• A second individual has been detained after a shooting outside the Stanley Wines off-licence on Stanley Road, Bootle, which took place on Monday 7th September 2026.
• The 28-year-old from Bootle has been charged with possession of a firearm without a certificate and attempted wounding with intent.
• Previously, the 20-year-old man from Bootle was charged with possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and section 18 attempted wounding with intent.
• The police report that the 28-year-old, riding an e-bike, shot from a handgun outside the store; however, there were no injuries, only a bullet mark on the window of the store.
• The Section 60 order is being enforced in some areas of south Sefton, where males of 18 to 40 years old are subject to the stop-and-search procedure, as well as Section 60AA authorization on face coverings.
• Detectives are urging witnesses, one of whom was at the moment of shooting in the newsagents store, as well as CCTV footage.

Bootle Crime (Liverpool standard) September 14, 2026 — A second man has been arrested after shots were fired outside an off-licence in Bootle, as detectives continue a fast-moving investigation into a daylight handgun discharge on a busy high street.

Merseyside Police confirmed that on Sunday 13 September detectives made a second arrest in connection with the incident on Stanley Road, which first occurred shortly before 5pm on Monday 7 September. The force said a 28-year-old man from Bootle has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm without a certificate and attempted wounding with intent, and remains in custody for questioning.

This follows an earlier arrest on Wednesday 9 September, when a 20-year-old man from Bootle was detained after officers executed two warrants in Merseyside. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with a firearm, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, and section 18 attempted wounding with intent, and was held at a police station in Merseyside.

Who are the suspects and what charges are being investigated?

As reported in updates from Merseyside Police, the second arrest involves a 28-year-old local man facing suspicion of possession of a firearm without a certificate and attempted wounding with intent. The first arrest, detailed by the Liverpool Echo, concerned a 20-year-old man from Bootle arrested on suspicion of possession with a firearm, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, and section 18 attempted wounding with intent.

Detectives have not yet laid formal charges and say the investigation remains in its early stages, with further enquiries ongoing to establish the full circumstances and any additional suspects.

What do witnesses and local residents say about the Bootle shooting?

Multiple witnesses described hearing two loud bangs and seeing two people on large black e-bikes fleeing the area. One driver told the Liverpool Echo they heard “two gunshots” and saw a car ahead suddenly stop and reverse before the shots were fired. The witness added: “Two people, I don’t know whether they were male or female, on big black bikes like e-bikes, whizzed off around the corner.”

A shopkeeper who asked not to be named told the Liverpool Echo: “I heard two loud bangs. I came out and saw two lads on bikes masked up riding towards there (Bedford Road). They were in their twenties I think… It was very scary.” Another man in Swift’s pub said: “I just heard two bangs. I know (the suspects) were on bikes. They were definitely aiming for the newsagents – or they were a very bad shot.”

Local residents offered mixed views on the area’s safety. One woman working nearby said: “Mad things can happen around here… But a shooting, on a Monday, in the daylight, that is not normal.” Another man said: “I’ve lived in Bootle for 45 years – nothing can surprise me… These new ones are trying to make a name for themselves.”

What police powers have been introduced after the Bootle off-licence shooting?

In response to the incident, Merseyside Police introduced a Section 60 order across parts of south Sefton, coming into force at 3pm on Tuesday 8 September and lasting until 3pm on Wednesday 9 September. The order gives officers additional powers to stop and search people suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder, and specifically authorises searches of males aged between 18 and 40 if officers believe they are involved in any crimes.

The covered area includes parts of Bootle and Netherton, with boundaries including Rimrose Valley Park, Sefton Moss Lane, Boundary Road, Netherton Way, Bailey Drive, Southport Road, Derby Road, Rimrose Road, Crosby Road South, Princess Way and Church Road.

A Section 60AA authorisation was also put in place, allowing officers to require someone to remove a face covering if they believe it is being used to conceal identity; refusal can lead to arrest and seizure of the covering.

What evidence has been found at the Stanley Road scene?

Officers established a large cordon around Stanley Road, restricting access at junctions with Merton Road and Balliol Road. When the Liverpool Echo visited the following morning, the cordon had been scaled back and traffic was flowing, but a mobile police station was parked outside Stanley Wines newsagents and off-licence.

A bullet hole was visible in the centre of a ground-floor window at the shop. Just before 10.40am on Tuesday, two Matrix police vans arrived and dozens of officers entered the premises, appearing to examine CCTV footage. The pavement and several nearby businesses, including Swift’s pub, William Hill and a unisex barber shop, were also closed during the operation.

Forensic teams attended the scene and concentrated work around the area of a bus stop. Police have not reported any injuries but confirmed damage to property.

What are police appealing for from the public?

Detective Inspector Chris Clark said: “This incident could have caused serious harm to members of our community as several shots were fired outside a shop in a busy area of Bootle.” He added: “Although an arrest has been made and warrants have been carried out in Merseyside our officers are still investigating what happened on Stanley Road. Therefore, I want to take this opportunity to urge members of the public to keep reporting any information you have about this incident to police so we can continue to take robust action.”

DCI Chris Saidi-Bidokhti said on the night of the incident:

“We are in the very early stages of an investigation and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed what happened or has any information which could help us with our enquiries to come forward.”

He added:

“I would also like to appeal to anyone who lives in the area, who has CCTV footage or Ring doorbell, that may have captured the incident to get in touch.”

DI Clark made a specific appeal for a potential witness:

“I’m also specifically appealing for a potential witness to come forward. There was a man inside the newsagents at the time of the incident who could have vital information to assist our inquiries. If this is you, please come forward as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police via X or Facebook @MerPolCC, report via the force website, or call 101 quoting log number 745 of 7 September. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Background to the Bootle off-licence shooting investigation

The incident on Stanley Road occurred during a weekday evening in a busy retail area, with multiple witnesses describing a confrontation involving two males on e-bikes and three other men, after which one rider fired a gun towards the shop. Police say two of the men ran into the newsagents while another ran down the road before the shots were fired, causing damage to the window but no injuries.

The investigation has involved house-to-house enquiries, CCTV review, forensic examination and the execution of warrants leading to two arrests within a week. The use of a handgun in a public place prompted the temporary Section 60 and Section 60AA measures to support intelligence-gathering and deter further violence.

Prediction: How could this development affect Bootle residents and local businesses?

The arrests and heightened police presence are likely to reassure some residents and traders who were alarmed by a daylight shooting on a main road, while the stop-and-search powers may increase short-term friction for young men in the designated area. Local businesses around Stanley Road could see temporary disruption during police operations but may benefit from a visible deterrent if further enforcement action follows.

If detectives secure charges and demonstrate progress in court, community confidence in reporting firearms-related activity may improve, potentially increasing the flow of CCTV and witness information that police have requested. Conversely, if the case stalls, there is a risk that perceptions of impunity around illegal firearms could persist, affecting footfall and evening trade in the immediate vicinity of Stanley Wines and neighbouring premises.