A 79-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found dead with a suspected gunshot wound in a house.
Police were called to the address on Meadowbrook Road in Moreton, Merseyside, at about 1.45am on Sunday following the discovery of the woman – who was believed to be in her 50s.
She was pronounced dead at the scene, with an injury to her chest consistent with a gunshot wound, police said.
Officers said the arrested man, who was known to the victim, had been taken into custody for questioning.
Police have put up a cordon closing off the road and are carrying out forensic examinations, CCTV checks and house-to-house inquiries.
Chief Inspector Derek Riley said: “Although a man has been arrested following the tragic death of this woman in Moreton, we are still in the very early stages of our investigation and inquiries into the incident are still ongoing in the area.
“I would ask anyone who was in the area of Meadowbrook Road in the very early hours of this morning who saw or heard anything or thinks they have captured anything significant on their doorbell camera or dashcam to contact us as a matter of urgency.
Coins thrown at Pep Guardiola at Anfield – as Liverpool condemn ‘football stadium tragedy’ chants
‘One in a million’ Merseyside mum-of-four found dead at home lying next to three-year-old daughter
Man arrested and five American bulldogs destroyed after woman mauled to death in Liverpool
“I would also encourage anyone who has any other information which they believe could assist with our investigation to get in touch as this could be vital to our inquiries.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter, or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook, or call 101 with log 096 of Sunday 30 October.