THE FAMILY of a Knowsley Council employee said that their "hearts are broken into a million pieces" after she was shot dead in her back garden.

Emergency services were called out to Leinster Road in Old Swan, Liverpool at around 12.40am on Sunday, August 21, to reports of a woman wounded with gunshot wounds.

The woman was treated at the scene but died in hospital a short time later.

She has now been identified as 28-year-old Ashley Dale, a Knowsley Council employee who had just got a promotion.

Detectives believe that the incident was a targeted attack but that Ms Dale was "innocent" and not the intended victim.

Following the tragedy, her family has released an emotional tribute to a woman with her "entire life ahead of her".

St Helens Star: Police at the scene in Liverpool (Pic: PA)Police at the scene in Liverpool (Pic: PA) (Image: PA)

It reads: “Ashley, our girl – our shining light. Our hearts are broken into a million pieces. 

“Ashley was a hard working young woman, who had her entire life ahead of her. 

“She had just been promoted at her job with Knowsley Council. She had a degree and so many plans for her bright future that had only just begun. Her laugh, smile and energy was infectious in any room. 

“We can’t come to terms with how this would happen to a defenceless woman in her own home. None of this makes sense and our lives will never be the same again. A senseless crime that has torn a family apart.

"Justice needs to be brought.”

St Helens Star: Police are appealing for information surrounding the incident (Pic: PA)Police are appealing for information surrounding the incident (Pic: PA)

An investigation is currently underway to establish the circumstances of what happened, as house to house and CCTV enquiries have been carried out in the area.

Detective Superintendent Mark Baker said: “We understand the public will be very shocked and concerned by what has happened, [and] we have [had] a number of officers at the scene who are carrying out extensive enquiries to understand what has taken place and take immediate action.

“A woman has tragically lost her life and I want the public to be reassured that we will do everything we can to find who is responsible and bring them to justice."

Anyone with information, dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage can share this directly with the investigation team via the police public portal here.

You can also contact the police via social media at @MerPolCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000615873.