Cops screamed four words before shooting man suspected of stabbing man and woman

Police shot a man suspected of stabbing two people after shouting at the suspected criminal in a tense standoff after one of his victims was spotted emerging from a home covered in blood.

Officers from rushed to a property on Tobruk Road in Huyton's Blue Bell estate on Wednesday, following reports that a man in his 20s and a woman in her 50s had been stabbed. Police arrived at the home after neighbours watched a blood drenched male victim emerge from inside shouting "I've been stabbed" while clutching his neck and abdomen. The service confirmed the two were stabbed in the home's back garden, where they approached a man believed to be responsible.

One neighbour told the they saw the two emerge from the home as police arrived, adding the woman appeared as if she had a "tin of paint" poured on her. They said: "Me and my friend were sat in the front garden when a police van came down the road quite slowly. 

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"I didn't think anything of it but as they drove down the road, I heard a screech from a man saying 'I've been stabbed'. He came out into the road shouting 'he's stabbed me. The lad was holding his neck and his abdomen.

"The police van slammed on and they started helping. Seconds later the lady came out and it looked like someone had poured a tin of paint on her. She was shouting 'he's stabbed me, he's stabbed me'. They were attacked in their own home."

The ECHO reports that shouts of "put the weapon down" could be heard before a gunshot rang across the neighbourhood after police set him in their sights. Neighbours said they could see officers removing fence panels separating two gardens to get a clear shot of the suspected knifeman.

The neighbour continued: "We were all rushed inside out house by the police when the firearms officers arrived. There was a lad outside my house who was a complete stranger and even he was brought inside.

"We went into the back garden and we heard the police shouting 'put the weapon down' and then we heard a shot fired. It went quiet and then they shouted 'put the weapon down' again before shooting five or six times."

Merseyside Police has since confirmed that the suspect is being treated in hospital for an injury to his abdomen, and is in serious but stable condition. Both of his victims survived their horror encounter, with the man in his 20s having now been discharged following treatment for his injuries.

The woman in her 50s remains in hospital in a stable condition as she undergoes treatment for serious injuries to her face, back and arms. Knowsley Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: “We have seen a number of incidents involving knives in recent weeks here in Knowsley, and I know the circumstances of this incident will have caused great concern in the community. I want to reassure residents that our officers are committed to keeping them safe and we will continue to take all reports of incidents involving weapons extremely seriously."

He added: “We do believe that the victims and the suspect were known to each other. I want to reassure people that this was an isolated incident and we are not looking for anyone else. We will have increased patrols in the area in the coming days, and I encourage residents to come to speak to our officers with any concerns or information they might have."

People who have information they believe could aid police enquiries have been asked to contact Merseyside Police via social media or its website, or call the police non-emergency number 101 citing the reference 25000398711. Information can also be submitted anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or via their website.