The third person arrested in the murder of Elle Edwards will be released on bail pending further investigation

The third of the three people arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in Merseyside on Christmas Eve has been released on bail.

Three people had been arrested following the death of Elle Edwards, 26, in a shooting at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village, near Liverpool.

On Saturday, Merseyside Police said they had released a 31-year-old man from Tranmere, Wirral, who had been arrested on bail on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

A 30-year-old man was recalled to prison on license and a 19-year-old woman was released on bail.

Elle Edwards, 26, died in a shooting at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village, near Liverpool, on Christmas Eve

Elle Edwards’ father, Tim Edwards, during a press conference at Merseyside Police Headquarters in Liverpool about the shooting death of his daughter on Christmas Eve

The three arrested suspects have now all been released from custody, Sky News reported.

It comes after Ms Edwards’ family called her “the most beautiful and brightest star” during a news conference on Friday.

Her father, Tim Edwards, said the family was devastated by her death on Christmas Eve.

Elle was killed by a gunman after becoming embroiled in a drug gang feud in Merseyside. Police said Elle was not the intended target in the shooting, which injured four others.

In an extraordinary and moving statement, her father wrote: “She loved her life and had so many amazing plans for the future. Nobody was as beautiful as our Elle May’.

Mr Edwards added: “We will love and miss her forever. Our Elle May, the most beautiful and brightest star out there, forever and ever. My beautiful Elle Marlene is the love of my life and she is my world, my best friend. She will always be radiant and beautiful and bright.

Police officers at the Lighthouse Inn after the shooting. Witnesses said the atmosphere turned sour when gang members arrived

A drinker told The Daily Mirror: “The boys involved are not from the area. So many locals left around 8pm because they could feel the tension.’

Another witness said a young man was shot in the waist.

She said: “The manager ran to the boy and pushed his stomach down. All staff helped. It was absolutely awful. Everyone is devastated.’

Merseyside Police Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley said officers have yet to locate the gun – believed to be a semi-automatic pistol – that fired up to 12 shots in quick succession.

DCC Critchley said the investigation into the “most callous and appalling murder” of Miss Edwards was “relentless” and said everyone involved – not just the shooter – would be brought to justice.

Elle Edwards’ parents left her a heartbreaking tribute after she was killed at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village on Christmas Eve. Her parents wrote, “To my beautiful Elle, you are the light of my life, you will never be gone.”

Mr Edwards, pictured right, was hugged by a member of the public in the street just yards from where his daughter was killed

Tim Edward pictured with his daughter Elle on holiday together. He described his daughter as “just getting started” in a moving tribute on Friday.

The force confirmed on December 29 that they had been given additional time by prosecutors to interview suspects.

A spokesman for the force said: “We have arrested a third person in connection with the December 24 murder of 26-year-old Elle Edwards at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey.

“A 31-year-old man from Tranmere has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. He is currently being held in custody where he is being questioned by detectives.

“We were given additional time to interview a 30-year-old man from Tranmere, arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and a 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, and both remain in custody.’

Friends of Miss Edwards have recounted the horrors of the shooting in the crowded pub on Christmas Eve, describing how she sang and danced before hearing pops “like fireworks” before seeing her lying on the floor.

Jess, a friend who was with her when she was shot, told Sky News: “We went out for drinks and we were at the bar and all we heard was bangs, like fireworks. We had been dancing and singing and now she’s on the floor.’

Tim Edwards visits the scene of his daughter’s death at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village on Boxing Day for floral tributes

The Lighthouse Pub in Wallasey where the shooting that killed Ms Edwards took place on Christmas Eve

“We were so happy. It happened so fast I can’t get it out of my head. I wish we could have done more, but we couldn’t have done anything else.’

Miss Edwards’ sister Lucy lives in Dubai but flew home to celebrate Christmas with her family. She left the pub before her sister was shot.

In an emotional post on Instagram, she said: “My beautiful sister, my best friend, my second mom and my rock. I love and miss you so much already. My Elle May.”

Girlfriend Jess said: “People have been around her trying to help her – but there’s nothing you can do. I was just grateful that I’m still here, but I felt guilty because I was with my family at Christmas and they weren’t.