Rhys Jones killer 'identity video' is shut down

Oct 30 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE Police last night ordered international video sharing website YouTube to remove a video which claims to name the killer of Rhys Jones.

The hooded gunman’s “identity” is revealed on a page that shows shocking footage of a hoodie gang parading guns and vicious dogs.

One of the comments reads: “Why do you all call them child murderers?

“Rhys was hit by a stray bullet it was not intentional, no-one set out that night to kill Rhys.”

A reply was posted saying: “Who da ---- is no-one?

“It was (name inserted here) who killed Rhys and everybody knows.”

The named shooter, still at large more than two months into the murder probe, is said to be a member of the Croxteth Crew who was trying to work his way up the ranks.

Last night, those who posted the comments and those respon- sible for managing YouTube were condemned by the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Det Supt Dave Kelly, who said speculation “was not helpful.”

He said the investigation was still making good progress and asked Rhys’s family and the public to trust in his team’s ability to bring the killer to justice. The clips, it claims, were posted by the “Broadway Boyz” or “Nogga Dogs” – fierce rivals of the Croxteth Crew from neighbouring Norris Green.

The four-minute video shows crew members pointing deadly firearms at the camera, their faces concealed with caps, balaclavas and hoodies.

One chilling clip shows a teenager loading a Walter PPK pistol.

The Nogga Dogs, aka the Strand Gang, and the Croxteth Crew have been feuding for two years since one of the “Crocky boys” was shot in the leg outside a sports centre.

It is widely believed that Rhys Jones, aged 11, from Croxteth, was fatally shot in the neck as a bullet meant for members of the Strand Gang flew through the window of a parked BMW and hit the innocent boy.

Det Supt Kelly said: “People keeping naming the killer is not helpful.

“The public must trust us that we are making good progress.

“People must bear with us – we will get there.

“I am more confident than ever that we will get the person responsible.”

A spokesman for YouTube said: “YouTube has clear policies that prohibit inappropriate content on the site.”

carolineines