Jamie Starkey shooting: Gun used in killing found by canal
The gun used to kill a man in a "cold-blooded" shooting in Liverpool has been found by a canal on Merseyside.
Jamie Starkey was shot several times as he left his house in Higher Lane, Fazakerley, on 2 December last year.
The Browning pistol was found by a walker in June near the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Melling, along with stolen mobile phones and jewellery.
A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said tests on the gun had "determined it was the weapon used to murder Jamie".
She said Mr Starkey was killed by a lone male in dark clothing, who shot him outside his home before escaping across nearby playing fields, and said the "criminal fraternity could have vital information".
"Officers believe that allegiances between those involved in the murder could have changed in the eight months since the murder," she said.
"They are appealing to those who were involved to search their consciences and do the right thing."
Det Ch Insp Dave Keegan said finding the gun was an "important development in investigation".
"I am appealing to anyone who may have seen somebody acting suspiciously on the Melling Stone Bridge, either on the evening of the murder or the days that followed to come forward," he said.
Mr Starkey's father Richard said his family was "delighted with this latest development".
"We hope that this will spur people on to provide information which will lead to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for Jamie's murder," he said.