Elle Edwards was a 26-year-old beautician whose life was cut short in a shooting outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, Merseyside, on Christmas Eve 2022.
She had been celebrating with friends when gunfire erupted shortly before midnight.
Investigators later established that Elle was an innocent bystander and was not the intended target of the attack.
Her death shocked the Wirral community and eventually led to the conviction and life sentence of Connor Chapman, who was found guilty of murdering her.
Who Was Elle Edwards?
Elle Edwards was a beautician from the Wirral area.
She worked in the beauty industry and was widely remembered by her family as outgoing, vibrant and deeply loved.
Following her death, relatives described her as a bright presence in their lives and spoke publicly about the enormous gap her loss created.
Elle was just 26 when she died.
Elle Edwards Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elle Edwards |
| Age | 26 |
| Profession | Beautician |
| Date of Death | December 24, 2022 |
| Location | Lighthouse pub, Wallasey Village |
| Area | Wirral, Merseyside |
| Circumstances | Fatal shooting |
| Intended Target | No |
| Convicted Killer | Connor Chapman |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment, minimum 48 years |
What Happened at the Lighthouse Pub?
Elle was spending Christmas Eve with friends at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village.
Shortly before midnight, a gunman opened fire outside the venue.
The attack was later linked to an ongoing feud involving rival groups from the Woodchurch and Ford estates.
Prosecutors said the shooting was aimed at other men who were outside the pub.
Elle was not involved in the dispute.
She was struck during the attack and later died from her injuries.
Elle Edwards Was an Innocent Bystander
One of the most important facts established during the investigation and trial was that Elle was not the target.
Prosecutors described her as a wholly innocent bystander.
The shooting had been directed at other people linked to a feud.
That distinction became central to how her family and the wider public understood the tragedy.
Elle had simply gone out to celebrate Christmas with friends.
Five Men Were Also Injured
The attack injured five men in addition to killing Elle.
Two of those men were among the intended targets identified during the trial.
Others were caught in the gunfire.
The use of a converted Škorpion submachine gun in a crowded public setting became a major part of the prosecution case against Connor Chapman.
Who Killed Elle Edwards?
Connor Chapman was convicted of murdering Elle Edwards in July 2023.
A jury at Liverpool Crown Court found him guilty after hearing evidence including CCTV footage, mobile phone data and DNA evidence linked to a bullet casing recovered at the scene.
He denied being the shooter during the trial.
The jury rejected his account.
Connor Chapman Sentenced to Life
On July 7, 2023, Chapman was sentenced to life imprisonment.
He was ordered to serve a minimum of 48 years before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
The judge described the attack as exceptionally serious and highlighted the fact that Chapman had opened fire in a crowded public place while pursuing rivals.
Chapman was also convicted of attempted murder and firearms offences.
Thomas Waring Also Convicted
Thomas Waring was convicted of possessing a prohibited firearm and assisting an offender.
The prosecution said he helped dispose of the stolen Mercedes used in connection with the attack.
He was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Why Was the Shooting Carried Out?
The trial heard that the attack formed part of a feud involving rival groups from the Woodchurch and Ford estates.
The dispute had involved previous assaults, burglaries and shootings.
The prosecution said Chapman targeted men from the rival group outside the Lighthouse pub.
Elle had no involvement in that feud.
The Edwards Family’s Tribute
Elle’s family spoke publicly about the pain of losing her.
They described her as deeply loved and as someone with a bright future.
Her father, Tim Edwards, later became involved in campaigns against gun and knife crime.
He has spoken about the long-term impact that violent crime can have on families.
His campaigning has included efforts to support initiatives aimed at steering young people away from violence.
A Christmas Eve Forever Changed
For many families, Christmas Eve is associated with celebration and togetherness.
For the Edwards family, December 24 now carries a very different meaning.
Elle’s death transformed what should have been a festive evening into a permanent family tragedy.
The timing of the shooting also contributed to the widespread public reaction across Merseyside and the rest of the UK.
Why the Case Drew National Attention
Several aspects of Elle Edwards’ death made the case nationally significant.
She was not the intended target.
The shooting occurred outside a busy pub on Christmas Eve.
A high-powered firearm was used.
And the attack formed part of a wider criminal feud that spilled into a public place.
The case became another example of how disputes involving firearms can kill people who have no connection to the underlying conflict.
Remembering Elle Edwards
The court case established who was responsible for Elle’s death, but the legal outcome cannot undo what happened.
For her family, justice does not replace the person they lost.
Elle is remembered as a daughter, sister, friend and young woman with a future ahead of her.
Her death also continues to be referenced in conversations about gun violence, community safety and the human consequences of criminal feuds.
The most important part of her story remains that she was not involved in the dispute that led to the shooting.
She was simply celebrating Christmas with friends when her life was taken.
DISCLAIMER
This article is based on publicly available court records, established news reporting and statements from Elle Edwards’ family. It is intended for informational and memorial purposes. Details concerning the criminal case reflect the convictions and sentencing reported after the 2023 trial. The article deliberately avoids unnecessary graphic descriptions out of respect for Elle, her family and the other people affected by the shooting.