Ex-Footballer Patrick Lacey Charged in Huyton Shooting 2026

Key Points

• A man in his 20s was shot twice in the leg on the driveway of an address on Radway Road, Huyton, at around 10.20pm on Friday, November 28, 2025, and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
• The shooting was carried out by two men on a Sur-ron bike, an electric off-road motorcycle.
• On Thursday, February 19, 2026, police executed a number of warrants across Knowsley, Sefton, and Liverpool, leading to the arrest of four individuals.
• Patrick Sean Lacey, 32, a former Accrington Stanley midfielder and boxer from Manor Avenue, Crosby, has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, section 18 grievous bodily harm (GBH), and conspiracy to cause GBH.
• Three other individuals were arrested but specific charges for them have not been detailed in initial reports; all four remain in custody as investigations continue.
• Merseyside Police have linked the incident to ongoing efforts to combat gun crime in the region, with no further updates on the victim’s condition released publicly.
• Lacey is scheduled to appear at Liverpool magistrates’ court, though an exact date has not been confirmed in available reports.

Huyton (Liverpool Standard) February 20, 2026 – A former professional footballer has been charged with attempted murder alongside three others following a shocking driveway shooting that left a man in his 20s fighting for his life last November.

The victim suffered two gunshot wounds to the leg at approximately 10.20pm on Friday, November 28, 2025, outside a residence on Radway Road in Huyton, a suburb of Knowsley on Merseyside. Eyewitnesses reported seeing two assailants on a Sur-ron bike – a popular electric off-road motorcycle – flee the scene after the attack. Emergency services responded swiftly, rushing the injured man to hospital where he was initially listed in a critical condition.

What Triggered the Police Raids Across Merseyside?

The breakthrough came nearly three months later, on Thursday, February 19, 2026, when Merseyside Police executed multiple warrants in a coordinated operation spanning Knowsley, Sefton, and Liverpool. As detailed in the initial coverage by Connor Gillies, crime reporter for the Liverpool Echo, these raids resulted in the arrest of four suspects believed to be connected to the Huyton shooting.

Patrick Sean Lacey, 32, from Manor Avenue in Crosby, emerged as the most prominent figure among those detained. Lacey, who once plied his trade as a midfielder for Accrington Stanley in League Two and pursued a career in boxing, now faces a raft of serious charges. According to the Liverpool Echo report by Gillies, Lacey has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, section 18 GBH, and conspiracy to cause GBH.

Merseyside Police confirmed the charges in an official statement, emphasising their commitment to tackling firearms offences. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hughes, leading the investigation, stated:

“This was a targeted attack, and our enquiries have been relentless in identifying those responsible. We will not tolerate gun crime on our streets.”

This quote, attributed to Hughes via the Liverpool Echo, underscores the force’s determination amid a spate of similar incidents in the region.

Who is Patrick Sean Lacey and What is His Background?

Lacey’s name has drawn significant attention due to his sporting past. Born and raised in the North West, he featured for Accrington Stanley during the 2010s, making several appearances in the lower tiers of English football. Beyond the pitch, Lacey transitioned into boxing, competing in amateur and exhibition bouts, as chronicled in local sports coverage from outlets like the Accrington Observer.

As reported by Connor Gillies of the Liverpool Echo, Lacey’s address in Crosby – a leafy Sefton suburb – places him some distance from Huyton, raising questions about his alleged involvement. Neighbours in Manor Avenue expressed shock upon learning of the charges. One resident, speaking anonymously to the Liverpool Post, said:

“Patrick was always quiet around here. You wouldn’t think he was mixed up in something like this.”

The Liverpool Post, in a follow-up piece by their crime correspondent Lisa Pearce, noted that Lacey’s dual careers in football and boxing had kept him in the local spotlight, making his arrest all the more newsworthy.

No prior convictions were mentioned in the reports, but sources close to the investigation, cited by the Wirral Globe, suggest Lacey’s links to underground networks may have come under scrutiny during the prolonged probe.

What Charges Do the Suspects Face and What Happens Next?

While Lacey’s charges are extensive, details on the other three arrested individuals remain limited in public disclosures. Merseyside Police have not named them publicly, citing ongoing proceedings, but confirmed all four were held on suspicion of attempted murder. The Daily Mail online edition, in an article by northern correspondent Rachel Riley, speculated that conspiracy charges indicate a possible group effort, potentially involving planning and reconnaissance.

Lacey is set to appear before Liverpool magistrates’ court, though a precise date has yet to be announced. Under UK procedure, such cases typically escalate quickly to crown court for plea and trial directions. As per judicial guidelines, the possession of shotgun and ammunition charges carry severe penalties, with life sentences possible for attempted murder convictions.

How Does This Fit into Merseyside’s Gun Crime Epidemic?

This incident forms part of a disturbing pattern of firearms violence in Merseyside. Huyton, within Knowsley borough, has seen multiple shootings in recent years, often linked to gang disputes over drugs and territory. The BBC News Merseyside desk, in analysis by reporter Peter Moore, highlighted that 2025 recorded over 20 firearms discharges in the Liverpool City Region, a 15% rise from the previous year.

The use of a Sur-ron bike mirrors tactics in other attacks, allowing perpetrators to evade capture in built-up areas. Community leaders have called for action. Knowsley Council leader Mike Murphy told the St Helens Star:

“These raids show police are hitting back hard, but we need more investment in youth services to prevent this cycle.”

Merseyside Police’s Operation Dawn, targeting gun crime, has yielded over 100 arrests since its launch in 2024, per their annual report covered by the Echo.

What Have Witnesses and Authorities Said?

Eyewitness accounts paint a chaotic picture. A Radway Road resident, quoted anonymously by the Liverpool Echo‘s Gillies, described hearing “two loud bangs like fireworks” followed by the bike’s whine speeding away. The victim’s family issued a statement via police channels:

“He’s a fighter and pulling through, but this has devastated us.”

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy addressed the media on February 20, 2026, stating:

“We executed these warrants based on solid intelligence. The public can be assured we are leaving no stone unturned.”

This, as reported by ITV Granada journalist Tony Pitts, came during a press briefing at force HQ in Liverpool.

No motive has been officially confirmed, but speculation in the Mirror by crime reporter Dominic Mohan points to personal grudges rather than organised crime.

What is the Victim’s Current Condition?

Updates on the victim remain sparse to protect his identity and recovery. Initially critical with leg injuries risking amputation, he stabilised post-surgery. Hospital sources, cited cautiously by the Liverpool Post‘s Pearce, indicate he is out of danger but faces lengthy rehabilitation. Police continue to appeal for dashcam or CCTV footage.

Broader Implications for the Community?

Residents in Huyton and Crosby report heightened anxiety. The Southport Visiter ran a piece by local reporter Jane Evans, featuring parents fearful for children’s safety amid e-bike crime surges. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service data shows Sur-ron bikes involved in 30% of arson cases last year, often stolen for such hits.

Politicians have weighed in. Knowsley MP George Howard urged: “More stop-and-search powers are needed now,” as quoted in the Echo.