Liverpool family man hailed a hero as fifth person arrested over Netherton shooting

Feb 5 2013 by Daniel Johnson, Liverpool Echo

A FAMILY man has been hailed a hero after he was shot when he confronted thugs who stole his sister’s bike at gunpoint.

Alan Moss, 26, of Netherton, was blasted at point blank range by a gang of youths who had threatened his 13-year-old sister with a gun and put a knife to her throat just minutes before.

Last night a 14-year-old male became the fifth person arrested over the attack.

The teenager was held on suspicion of possession of a firearm, section 18 wounding and robbery. He was taken to a police station for questioning and remains in custody.

VIDEO: Liverpool shooting victim 'tried to stop bike being stolen'

Housemate Kevin Anderson, 28 – who has been friends with Alan since school – said he was “lucky to be alive.”

He told the ECHO: “In a way it’s fortunate that they were just kids and didn’t know what they were doing, because otherwise from that range, he wouldn’t be here.

“Alan’s a very family-based person – they mean the world to him, which is pretty much why he did what he did.”

Alan, who works at Jaguar Land Rover, heard the thugs had threatened his sister in Marian Square and went to help out with mum Joanne.

After he confronted them and pulled one of the youths off his sister’s bike, another shot him from close range.

The bullet went right through his arm as he tried to shield his face and protect his mum, who was also threatened with the knife.

Alan was released from hospital yesterday afternoon after having surgery on his arm.