Connor Chapman Found Guilty of Christmas Eve Pub Murder
Connor Chapman, 23, has been convicted of murdering Elle Edwards, 26, who was blasted outside a pub on Christmas Eve. The innocent victim was caught in the crossfire when Chapman opened fire with a submachine gun at the Lighthouse in Wallasey Village, Wirral, just before midnight on December 24, 2022. Chapman was also found guilty of two counts of attempted murder.
Gang Feud Behind Deadly Christmas Shootout
Merseyside Police led a massive investigation, sifting through over 1,400 hours of CCTV footage, 37 searches, and 1,800 exhibits linked to Elle’s murder. The prosecution revealed Chapman’s target was Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy, caught up in a brutal gang feud, both seriously wounded in the shooting. The court heard how Salkeld and Duffy had previously attacked a man, Sam Searson, the day before the shooting.
Stolen Mercedes and High-Powered Submachine Gun Used in Attack
Three innocent bystanders—Harry Loughran, Liam Carr, and Nicholas Speed—were also injured during the rampage. Chapman reportedly waited nearly three hours in a stolen Mercedes before unleashing automatic fire capable of 15 rounds a second. Chapman claimed the car was a “pool car” shared among criminals and denied driving it himself, but CCTV caught him fleeing the scene and dropping the gun at a co-defendant’s home in Barnston.
DNA Evidence Seals Chapman’s Fate
Chapman admitted to handling stolen goods but denied any involvement by co-defendant Thomas Waring. However, cellphone data linked Waring to the stolen vehicle. Detective Superintendent Paul Grounds labelled Chapman a “dangerous and ruthless individual.” DNA found on a bullet casing and red gloves tied Chapman directly to the shooting. Despite police pleas, Chapman was arrested 17 days later at a supermarket.
