Terrified children were locked inside an Everton school as police hunted a masked gunman who fired at a taxi nearby

A quiet school day turned into every parent’s worst nightmare as Our Lady Immaculate Primary School in Everton was forced into emergency lockdown after gunfire rang out just yards from its gates.

The incident unfolded shortly after 11:15 am on York Terrace, when a man wearing a balaclava and riding a Sur-ron electric bike aimed a firearm at a black Hackney taxi and fired two shots before speeding off in the direction of Everton Valley. The brazen daylight shooting took place just outside a school filled with children, triggering a rapid lockdown that sent shockwaves through the local community.

Teachers inside the Northumberland Terrace school acted swiftly. Staff secured all doors and windows and issued an urgent message to parents: “No one may enter or leave.” Though panic rippled through WhatsApp groups and social media, the school confirmed that no child was hurt and all pupils were accounted for.

Police cordoned off the scene and launched a manhunt for the gunman, who vanished as swiftly as he appeared. Officers flooded the surrounding streets, with detectives and forensics combing the area for clues. Despite the terrifying proximity to the school and the clear intention to harm, there were no injuries and no damage reported—an outcome described by some as “miraculous.”

Witnesses described the masked man as “menacing,” with several noting the distinct whir of the electric bike as he sped away after opening fire. One resident said, “It was like a scene from a film. He came out of nowhere, fired, and then disappeared up the hill. It’s terrifying—there were kids just metres away.”

The taxi, believed to have been the target, was seen speeding from the scene toward Netherfield Road North. Police have not yet confirmed whether the vehicle or its occupants were previously known to them, but investigators are pursuing several leads. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Superintendent Siobhan Gainer of Merseyside Police said: “This was a reckless and extremely dangerous act that could have ended in tragedy. Firing a weapon near a school full of children is beyond unacceptable. We are doing everything we can to track down the individual responsible.”

She urged the public to assist by reviewing doorbell cameras, dashcam footage, or providing any information they might have, no matter how small.

The incident has reignited growing fears around youth crime and the increasing appearance of firearms on Merseyside streets. Parents voiced anger and frustration, demanding to know how a gunman could operate so brazenly in broad daylight, within sight of a primary school.

“This area is supposed to be safe. My child was in that school when it happened,” one mother said, holding back tears. “It could have been so much worse.”

Local councillors have called for increased patrols and renewed investment in community safety initiatives. “This is a terrifying example of how gun crime is creeping too close to our children,” said one. “We need urgent action before tragedy strikes.”

The school remained under police protection for the rest of the day, with officers visible at both entrances and staff guiding anxious parents through a staggered pick-up process after the lockdown ended.

As detectives continue their investigation, the gunman remains at large, and Everton residents are left shaken. What was once considered an ordinary school morning has now become a symbol of the escalating threat posed by street violence.