A MAN, 37, has been arrested in connection with the tragic murder of schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

The man, from the West Derby area of Liverpool, was arrested today and will be questioned by detectives, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said.

Olivia, nine, was gunned down in cold blood by a masked gunman at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on August 22.

The man police will question today is the ninth person to be arrested in connection with the case.

But, no charges have yet been brought.

Police said the 37-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and remains in custody being questioned by detectives.

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In a statement today a Merseyside Police spokesman said: "The investigation into Olivia's murder is ongoing and we continue to appeal for people with information to come forward to assist us in bringing those responsible to justice."

The arrest comes after two others were made in connection with the killing on Thursday, when police executed warrants on three properties.

An 18-year-old man and a 29-year-old man were both arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

On August 22, the shooter had chased another man into the family home before opening fire.

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The bullet passed through Olivia's mum's wrist before striking the little girl in her body – fatally wounding her.

She was rushed to hospital but declared dead later that night.

This week, Olivia's broken mum Cheryl Korbel launched a desperate appeal to find her daughter's murderer.

Speaking on Tuesday, Cheryl said: "She was amazing, she loved life. She was my little shadow. She went everywhere with me.

"She didn't like school because she had to do work but she loved it because she was with all her friends.

"Everyone that she met they all fell in love with her.

"She left a mark on everyone that she met and she may well have only been nine but she packed a lot in them nine years.

"She never, ever stopped talking. And that is what I miss the most, because I can't hear her talk.

"I am hoping that they come forward so this doesn't happen to anybody else.

"You know you have done wrong so you need to own up like I have taught my kids. You do something wrong, you own up to it."

Crying through the pain, Cheryl demanded that anyone "hiding the guns" that killed Olivia needs to "speak up".

"Because they need to be off these streets, no one, no one at all, should have to go through this", Cheryl added.

ARRESTS

The thug, dressed in a balaclava and dark jacket, reportedly shot into the house four times.

Cops had arrested three men, aged 41, 34 and 29, on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Meanwhile a 34-year-old was also held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

All four have been conditionally bailed.

Cops suspect the crime to be drug-related and the man who was being chased by the assassin had been convicted of drug dealing.

He was described by police as a "well-established organised crime group member".

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said: “I continue to urge anyone who has information that can help our investigation into Olivia's tragic murder to please come forward.

"A number of people have been arrested in respect of this investigation.

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"However, we still need the public’s help in ensuring that we can a build a strong evidential picture so justice is served for Olivia and her family."

Anyone with information is asked to message @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.

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