Blackburn shooting: Teenager shot dead in 'senseless' attack outside Lidl was law student, local charity says

Manhunt underway as police launch murder investigation

A teenager shot dead in a "senseless attack" in Blackburn was a student who dreamed of becoming an expert in international law, a local charity has said.

The 19-year-old was attacked on King Street on Sunday afternoon, Lancashire Constabulary said. She later died of her injuries in hospital.

Officers said witnesses heard gunshots in the area.

Though police have yet to release the victim's identity, local charity Asylum and Refugee Community (ARC) Project said she was called Aya.

In a Facebook post, the organisation said she was from Lebanon and had just passed her second year law exams at Salford University.

"Aya, one of our own, lost her life in a horrific senseless attack, randomly caught up in a shooting outside Lidl, King Street, Blackburn as she walked past at around 3pm on Sunday," the post says.

"Aya, a beautiful 19-year-old young woman from Lebanon ... had a dream and ambition to study international law."

Lancashire Police have launched a murder investigation and a manhunt is underway for the killer.

A vehicle, thought to be a light coloured or metallic green Toyota Avensis, was seen leaving the scene, officers said. A car matching the same description was later recovered nearby.

Det Supt Jonathan Holmes, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This is a truly shocking and senseless killing, which has robbed a young woman of her life.

"Her family have now been informed of her death and they are understandably utterly, utterly distraught. Our thoughts are very much with them, and her wider family and friends, at this awful time.

“An investigation has been launched and we are determined to find those responsible – and we are asking for the public’s help identifying the offender or offenders."

Det Supt Holmes appealed for anyone with dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage of the incident to contact police.

“We know that King Street will have been busy around the time of the incident and we are confident there is someone, or several people, out there who know what happened," he said.

"We understand people may be reluctant to come forward during this time, especially if they have not been following the government guidelines about staying at home, but we would reassure them that our immediate concern is to find out what happened."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting log number 817. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.