Police have launched a murder investigation after a woman was shot dead in a pub on Christmas Eve in Wallasey, where she was celebrating the festive season with family and friends. Merseyside police are appealing for information after the gunman fled in a dark vehicle, believed to be a Mercedes, after the incident, which they said happened in a “busy venue full of young people” and injured a number of other people. DS Sue Coombs said: “Tragically, the victim, a 26-year-old woman, had suffered a serious gunshot injury to her head. “She was taken to Arrowe Park hospital, but sadly passed away shortly afterwards. Her family have been informed and today, which should be a day with friends celebrating, they are coming to terms with this tragic loss. “It’s the very early stages of the investigation, but we do not believe that the victim in this case has been targeted. She was out enjoying Christmas with her sister and friends at what should have been a peaceful time. “What her family are now going through is incomprehensible. At this stage of the investigation, we are trying to establish the motive and circumstances surrounding this callous shooting.” Police said officers were called to the Lighthouse in Wallasey Village at about 11.50pm on Saturday after reports of gunshots. Four men were hurt in the incident, with one in a critical condition. The other three not believed to have life-threatening injuries. Local resident Jenny Hough, 77, who heard shots, said she assumed they were celebratory Christmas fireworks, adding that the shooting was a “complete shock”. “My sister’s garden had been broken into,” she said. ‘We suspect it was people trying to get out of the pub and trying to climb over the wall and into her garden to get out.” A spokesperson for the Lighthouse pub said the shooting was “a tragedy beyond any words”. “All our thoughts are with the friends and family of our customers, and in particular our hearts go out to the family of our customer who has lost her life,” they said. The spokesperson added that the pub had given CCTV footage to the police. Dame Angela Eagle, the MP for Wallasey, said the incident was “heartbreaking” and appealed for anyone with information to contact police. The Wirral council leader, Janette Williamson, said the shooting was “nothing less than despicable”. Jeffrey Hughes, minister of the United Reformed church in Wallasey Village, said the Lighthouse was “central” to the community and that the news of the shooting had been met with “shock”. “When we first heard the news this morning that there’d been a shooting in Wallasey, Wallasey Village is the last place you would think of,” he added. DS David McCaughrean said: “This is a truly shocking and devastating incident that has happened just before Christmas Day in a busy venue full of young people. “We believe that the gunman left the pub car park in a dark-coloured vehicle – possibly a dark-coloured Mercedes – shortly after the shooting and we are keen to hear from anyone who saw this to contact us immediately.” Police have asked witnesses with footage and/or information to contact them.