What happened to Carl Russell? Liverpool man murdered by gunman on bike
CARL Russell was gunned down in front of his girlfriend on the morning of October 7, 2018 in Belle Vale, south Liverpool.
A killer on a bicycle opened fire on Russell, who was out of prison on day release when he was shot dead.
Who was Carl Russell?
Over 13 years ago Carl Russell survived being shot multiple times — once in the head and three times to the body — by two masked men who burst into his home.
He was shot in the back of the head, with the bullet miraculously glancing off his skull and exiting his scalp.
However, he still suffered a disfigured leg and needed crutches and a colostomy bag following the attack.
Mr Russell’s dog was also hit during the shooting.
The incident by his Belle Vale home on New Year’s Day 2010 left Mr Russell needing emergency surgery and 14 litres of blood.
Mr Russell, then 18, was subsequently arrested after police searching his Belle Vale home found a loaded Glock pistol in a locked cupboard.
In October 2018, Liverpool Crown Court heard officers also found live ammunition during the search, including five rounds inside the firearm.
Police also seized a black jacket and a face protector, which were covered in gunshot residue.
Prosecutor Geoffrey Greenwood said analysis of the Glock pistol revealed it had been used in three separate shootings during the previous six weeks.
On November 23, 2009 the weapon was fired at a house in Belle Vale, while a woman and her child were home.
Two weeks later it was also used in a drive-by shooting, and on December 14 the weapon was fired from a car in Belle Vale.
While being interviewed, at first Mr Russell claimed he was forced to store the weapon about two hours before he was shot.
Later he named a man he believed was responsible for the earlier shootings, but who has now himself been killed as well.
In October 2010 Mr Russell, who was 19 at the time, admitted possessing a firearm and ammunition.
But his barrister Christopher Stables urged the court to show leniency because of the “exceptional circumstances” of the case.
He said Mr Russell was “unbelievably lucky to survive the attack”.
But jailing him for five years and four months, Judge Nigel Gilmour QC said: “You possessed the gun against a background that you were entrusted with looking after the weapon, you had gunshot residue on your clothing and that gun was used in the previous few months on three occasions.”
In September 2011, then aged 20, Mr Russell confessed to a burglary that would otherwise “have never come to light” as his lawyers told a court he was determined to turn his life around.
In 2018 he was shot to death outside his house in front of his girlfriend.
What happened to Carl Russell?
When Carl Russell was 27 he was shot to death as he and his girlfriend got out of a car on Cornwood Close, Belle Vale, Liverpool.
On Sunday October 7, 2018 the mystery killer, wearing a balaclava and high-visibility jacket, shot Mr Russell multiple times in the head and torso before riding off on a bicycle — as horrified residents ran over to help the victim.
Neighbours said they saw children playing in the street shortly before armed officers and paramedics were called to the scene at 11.30am.
Who killed Carl Russell?
The investigation into who killed Carl Russell is still ongoing.
Crimestoppers has now offered a £20,000 reward for information about the shooting.
Detectives are keen to speak to a cyclist caught on CCTV wearing an orange high vis jacket who was in the area on the day of the shooting.
They also believe the owner of a white 53 plate Nissan Primestar van seen in the area on the day of the shooting could have useful information.
Police are also keen to speak with a taxi driver who may have overheard a conversation about the van on the day of the murder.
Mr Russell was out of prison on day release when he was shot dead and local sources have told The Sun that the killer realised this and was aware of Carl’s movements in the time leading up to his death.
Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye, who is leading the investigation, said: “In the last five years we have made a number of arrests, but I am still very keen to talk to anyone who was around at the time of the shooting.
“This incident happened in broad daylight at around 11.30am on a Sunday when there would have been people around.
“Over the years, allegiances can change and hopefully a £20,000 reward from Crimestoppers will be a strong incentive for anyone with information to come forward.
“We are particularly keen to speak to a male wearing high-vis clothing and riding a bike who was seen in the area at the time of the shooting.
“He is described as white, in his late 20s at the time, of medium build, dressed all in black and wearing a high-vis orange jacket, which was dark blue at the bottom and had a reflective band.
“Do you know who this man is? We believe he could have vital information which could assist our investigation and I would urge anyone who recognises him – or the man himself – to do the right thing and come forward.
“We are also keen to trace the driver of a white 53 plate Nissan Primestar van, which was on the estate at the time of Carl’s murder.
“We are also trying to trace a taxi driver who may have overheard a conversation, that same day, about a van being involved.
“Five years on, Carl’s family and friends are still dealing with Carl’s loss and I can’t begin to imagine what they have had to go through.
“We have a specially trained officer who continues to support them.”