The mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, a nine-year-old who was tragically killed in her own home, has teamed up with other families impacted by gun violence to urge communities to speak up against such crimes.
Olivia was fatally shot by Thomas Cashman during a pursuit of a drug dealer into her residence in Dovecot, Liverpool, on August 22, 2022. This incident marked the third shooting death within a week in Merseyside, following the murders of Ashley Dale and Sam Rimmer on earlier dates.
Cheryl Korbel, Olivia’s mother, expressed her grief three years after her daughter’s untimely death, emphasizing the pain of losing a young life with endless possibilities. She highlighted the ongoing trauma and the void left by Olivia’s absence.
In response to the series of tragedies, Merseyside Police received funding for an operation called Evolve, aimed at eliminating crime and rebuilding communities. Korbel emphasized the importance of community support in preventing further tragedies and urged individuals to report any knowledge of criminal activities.
Recently, Korbel visited Olivia’s Tree, a memorial in Dovecot, where she met with partners from the Evolve program and Tim Edwards, whose daughter was also a victim of gun violence. Edwards praised the program for instilling hope and urged others to come forward with information to prevent similar tragedies.
Julie, Ashley Dale’s mother, described the past years as a nightmare but acknowledged the community’s role in seeking justice for her daughter. She highlighted the need for support in ensuring that families of victims receive closure and justice for their lost loved ones.
Jo Rimmer, the mother of Sam Rimmer, appealed for information on her son’s killers, expressing the pain of losing a child to senseless violence. She implored anyone with relevant details to come forward anonymously to provide closure and allow the family to remember Sam with happier memories.
The plea for community cooperation and solidarity in combating gun violence remains crucial in bringing justice and peace to affected families.