Public urged to help identify who gunned down a Lancashire law student in the street

Lancashire Police have called on anyone with information - even family or friends of the person responsible - to examine their conscience and come forward.

Aya, a promising law student from Blackburn, died after being hit by one of two bullets fired from a car which was later found abandoned.

Officers believe she was a "completely innocent bystander" who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had just popped out to go to the Lidl store in King Street at around 3pm on Sunday when the attack happened.

“First and foremost our condolences are with her family, who have lost their daughter during the holy month of Ramadan," said Lancashire's Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods.

“In the last 24 hours we have learnt that Aya was a much-loved family member and friend who was enjoying her studies at the University of Salford. She also gave her time to being a young trustee of the Children’s Society.

"For her life to have been cut short like this is unthinkable and her family are understandably utterly distraught.

“We appreciate this incident will have caused a huge amount of worry in the community, and we would like to reassure residents that we have deployed significant additional resources, including armed officers, to carry out high visibility patrols in the area. Anyone with concerns or questions is welcome to speak to those officers.

“We are now asking anybody information to come forward. We know King Street was reasonably busy at the time of the attack and there will have been witnesses in the areas of King Street and Whalley Banks, near Lidl and the A674, who may have seen something or who may know who is responsible.

“We believe a green-coloured Toyota Avensis was used to commit the offence, and this car was later recovered nearby. If you saw the car in the area of King Street and Whalley Banks, or if you saw it being abandoned on Wellington Road, again we would urge you to get in touch. Similarly if you have information about who had been using this vehicle either on the day of the attack or in the weeks preceding, please tell us.

“We are also still appealing for anybody with mobile phone, CCTV or dashcam footage taken in the area between 10am and 4pm to send it to us.

“We appreciate people may not want to get involved and may be reluctant to come forward, but an innocent young woman has been killed in broad daylight and we are asking anybody with any information at all to search their consciences and get in touch to tell us what they know.

In a tribute, Aya's family said: "Our beautiful 19-year-old daughter Aya has been taken from us in the most horrific circumstances.

"She was the most loyal devoted daughter who enjoyed spending time with her family especially her brothers and sisters.

"She excelled in her studies both at Blackburn Central High School and at Salford University where she was in her second year and dreamed of becoming a solicitor. She had just completed her exams and was learning to drive.

"We her parents are absolutely devastated by her death and would like to take this opportunity to plead with any members of the public who may have any information however small that may bring those responsible to justice.

"We ask for privacy at this distressing time for us to grieve as a family."