The new arrests come exactly 12 months on from the murder of the 36-year-old
11:09, 17 Jul 2025Updated 11:19, 17 Jul 2025
Rikki Berry(Image: Merseyside Police)
A man and a woman have been arrested in connection with the murder of Rikki Berry exactly a year on from his murder. Shortly after 6.30pm on July 17 last year, police rushed to the scene after the dad was shot three times in the front garden of his girlfriend’s home on Quarryside Drive in Kirkby by a balaclava-clad assailant.
Paramedics treated him at the scene but he died a short time later. This year three men were jailed for the murder of the 36-year-old, nicknamed “Nuggy”.
Adam Williams, 26, of Hamblett Crescent in St Helens will serve a minimum of 31 years in prison, Michael Smith, 27, no fixed address, Kirkby will serve a minimum of 31 years in prison, and Connor Walsh, 26, of Simonswood Lane, Northwood, Kirkb received a life sentence of 30 years in prison.
Today, exactly 12 months on from the murder, a 24-year-old man from Ormskirk has been arrested on suspicion of the murder and a 45-year-old woman from Kirkby was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have been taken into custody to be questioned.
Tributes to Rikki Berry(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Detective Inspector Graeme Osborne said: “Merseyside Police is relentless in our pursuit of anyone involved in gun crime and serious organised crime.
“Offenders should be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to take their weapons off them and that time is no barrier in our efforts to bring people to justice.
“Information from the public is an absolutely crucial part of our work to protect our communities from the fear and harm weapons can bring and we appeal to anyone who has information on where weapons are being stored, carried and used to come forward.
“I completely understand that some may find the idea of speaking out daunting. If you don’t feel comfortable coming directly to the police you can call the independent, anonymous, Crimestoppers.”
Anyone with information on gun crime in their area should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via the force’s website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.