20 January 2023 , 12:27
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The heartbroken dad of a young woman fatally gunned down at a pub on Christmas Eve says the shooting "should never have happened".
Elle Edwards, 26, was killed while out celebrating with her sister and friends at the Lighthouse pub in Wallsey Village, Wirral, shortly before midnight on December 24.
Connor Chapman, 22, has since been charged with her murder and is due to go on trial on June 7.
Grieving dad Tim Edwards said "Christmas will never be the same" and described his tragic daughter as "beautiful and caring" and "with a heart of gold".
Speaking ahead of beautician Elle's funeral next week, he described the "struggle" of the last month and said the festivities "didn't feel real" to the family.
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Elle's killing was the fifth shooting in Merseyside since August last year and Tim hopes his daughter's death won't be in vain.
Tim Edwards with late daughter Elle Edwards who was shot dead on Christmas Eve (Sky News)He told Sky News "there's no winners with gun crime".
"If you pick up a gun, your future is over and everybody else's future around you is over. It's dead simple. It's absolutely pointless and it solves nothing.
"I want to see a positive that comes out of this. Elle's name will be used for good in the future. She can't be forgotten," he added.
Tim said the memories of Elle "spur you on" and he "can even hear her laugh".
Tim held back tears during the interview (Sky News)"It's horrible, it really is horrible, but hopefully those memories will never fade."
Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets to pay tribute to Elle before her funeral on January 25.
Chapman, of no fixed abode is facing nine charges relating to the incident.
They include one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and three GBH charges.
Elle was just 26 (PA)Elle was shot in the head and several others were injured.
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Chapman is also accused of carrying a converted Scorpion sub machine gun and ammunition on Christmas Eve, and having stolen a Mercedes A Class vehicle between December 22 - 26 in the Merseyside area.
He is set to enter his plea on April 17.
Floral tributes outside the Lighthouse pub (Liverpool Echo)He was denied bail and remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
CCTV of the horror incident which claimed Elle's life shows the moment terrified revellers fled from the scene after the sound of 12 gunshots, which can be heard on the clip.
The footage was captured by a camera outside a nearby business up the road from the pub.