A murder inquiry is under way after a 16-year-old boy was shot dead.
Police were called to reports of a shooting on a canal towpath near Burrows Court, Eldonian Village, in the Vauxhall area of Liverpool just before 11.20pm last night.
A 16-year-old boy, who was found by a member of the public, was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where he died a short while later.
The boy's next of kin have been informed.
The scene has now been cordoned off while forensic examinations are carried out and house-to-house inquiries are under way in the area.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said the investigation is in its early stages and detectives are trying to establish a motive for the shooting.
High-visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area to reassure the public.
Anyone with information is asked to call the specialist Matrix team on 0800 230 0600, or the Crimestoppers line, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.