Remand For Shopkeeper Murder Accused

A man has been charged with the murder of a Yemeni-born Liverpool shopkeeper.

Abdo Saeed Al-Selwi, 53, was shot in the chest shortly after opening his newsagents in Huyton, on May 31.

He was found mortally wounded and bleeding to death by taxi driver Alan Faye, 56, when he went to buy his newspaper from the store shortly before 7.30am behind the counter of Carol's Newsagent and General Store in Page Moss Lane.

Emergency services attended the victim but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ronald Higgins, 37, of Stonefield Road, Knotty Ash, appeared before Huyton Magistrates charged with murder, attempted robbery and firearms offences.

Detective Superintendent Paul Richardson said after the killing that "it is very, very tragic that a man at the peak of his life in terms of his business and in general has had his life taken away".

Police also said that there "was nothing concrete" to suggest that the crime was racially motivated.

Ann Walsh, 61, who lived near the newsagent said "all the kids loved him round here" and "they are all crying their eyes out".

Residents leaving near to the scene said the community was "devastated".

Higgins has been remanded in custody and will appear before Liverpool Crown Court on 8 July.

(DS)