Merseyside Police have issued a renewed appeal for information regarding the unsolved murder of Anthony 'Tony' Lawler, who was fatally shot in Netherley 24 years ago. The 45-year-old was killed in broad daylight on October 11, 2001, in an attack witnessed by his elderly mother.
Key Takeaways
- Anthony 'Tony' Lawler, 45, was shot and killed on Middlemass Hey, Netherley, on October 11, 2001.
- The attack was part of a series of violent incidents involving two families, leading to three unsolved murders in five months.
- The killing was witnessed by Lawler's mother, Maisie, who confronted the gunman.
- Merseyside Police's Serious Crime Review Unit is urging anyone with information to come forward, stating that time should not be a barrier to justice.
The Murder of Tony Lawler
On the afternoon of October 11, 2001, Tony Lawler had just dropped his mother, Maisie, then in her late 60s, at a row of shops on Middlemass Hey. Shortly after, a blue Ford Transit van arrived, and an armed man, masked and dressed in black, exited the vehicle.
The gunman chased Mr. Lawler onto a nearby area of wasteland and opened fire. As her son lay dying, Maisie Lawler ran towards the attacker and began striking him with her shopping bags. The assailant shouted at her before escaping in the waiting van, which contained three other men described by police as having a 'bodybuilder' appearance.
Incident Details
- Date: October 11, 2001
- Location: Middlemass Hey, Netherley
- Victim: Anthony 'Tony' Lawler, 45
- Circumstances: Chased and shot by a masked gunman.
- Bystander Injured: An 11-year-old boy was struck in the leg by a stray bullet during the attack.
Investigators later found the getaway van, which had been stolen months prior and fitted with false number plates, burned out in a nearby location. A second vehicle, a BMW 322i also believed to have been using false plates, was seen leaving the area and was discovered torched several miles away.
A Cycle of Violence
The killing of Tony Lawler was not an isolated event. It was the third fatal shooting in five months linked to what prosecutors described as "ill feeling" between the Lawlor family and another local family, the Clarkes. Both families were reportedly involved in providing security for pubs and clubs, a competitive and often violent trade.
The Preceding Murders
The sequence of events began on May 19, 2001, when Tony's younger brother, Stephen Lawlor, was shot and killed as he left a party near his home in Netherley. Following an investigation, former soldier Peter Clarke, then 23, was arrested and charged with Stephen's murder.
While Peter Clarke was in custody awaiting trial, his older brother, Ian Clarke, was targeted. On September 8, 2001, the 32-year-old father-of-three was shot in his car while stopped at a red light at the junction of Rocky Lane and Belmont Road in Tuebrook.
Just over a month later, Tony Lawler was killed in what police suspect was another act of retaliation in the escalating feud. To date, all three murders officially remain unsolved.
Legal Proceedings
Peter Clarke was convicted of Stephen Lawlor's murder in December 2001. However, he was later acquitted of the charge following a re-trial at Manchester Crown Court. No one has been convicted for the murders of Ian Clarke or Tony Lawler.
A Mother's Grief
The most harrowing aspect of Tony Lawler's murder was that it happened in front of his mother. Maisie Lawlor, who passed away in 2013 without seeing justice for her two sons, spoke to the Liverpool Echo in November 2001 about her ordeal.
"I am still grieving for Stevie but now it is double the pain. I keep getting flashbacks of it, seeing Tony jumping as he tried to get out of the way of the bullets. The thing that hurts me the most is that after they shot him again and again and again, one of them leaned over and looked right at him to check he was dead. My son was executed in front of me."
She expressed deep fear for her remaining family members, adding, "I look at a photograph of my five sons. Now two are gone. I am so worried in case anything else happens."
Renewed Appeal for Information
Twenty-four years after the brutal killing, Merseyside Police are once again appealing to the public for help. The force's Serious Crime Review Unit hopes that the passage of time may encourage people who were previously reluctant to speak to come forward.
Howard Rubbery, Head of the unit, issued a statement emphasizing that allegiances can change over time and that even small details could be crucial to the investigation.
“It is now 24 years since Tony Lawlor was fatally shot in Netherley. As with all open murder investigations the circumstances are regularly reviewed to establish if there are any new lines of enquiry for us to explore and our appeal to any member of the public who has information to come forward remains ongoing. Time should never be a reason to stay silent. Any small piece of information may prove vital.”
Merseyside Police has confirmed that protective measures can be implemented for individuals who provide information that leads to a breakthrough in the case.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Merseyside Police through their social media desk @MerPolCC on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Information can also be submitted via the force's website or by calling 101. To provide information anonymously, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their online form.