Third arrest made in search for Rhys's killer

Aug 24 2007

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested by police hunting the BMX gunman whi killed Rhys Jones.

The teen, who was arrested on Friday afternoon , is being questioned on suspicion of murder.

Police confirmed the development hours after Rhys’s parents today laid flowers at the scene of the shooting in Croxteth Park

Melanie Jones, 41, wept as she read tributes to her “baby”. Clutching a small teddy bear, she and her husband, Stephen, 44, spent several minutes looking at the flowers.

Rhys was shot in the neck as he played football with friends outside the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth at around 7.30pm.

Residents said shots were fired by a teenager who rode past the pub on a BMX bike.

Mrs Jones cradled her son in her arms in his dying moments as they waited for paramedics.

A 14-year-old and an 18-year-old were released on bail yesterday.

Police confirmed that an abandoned bicycle had been found in Liverpool, in an area with a different postcode from the shooting, which was being examined.

Officers also confirmed descriptions of the killer’s firearm, a black handgun with a long barrel.

Speaking after the latest arrest was made public, a police source said: “Rhys was not involved in any form of gang.

“We are categorising this as a Category A-plus homicide, the most serious investigation to take on.

“We have made some arrests but this could be a protracted investigation. Another arrest was made today but further inquiries are ongoing and further arrests possible...

“The murder weapon is described variously by witnesses as a black handgun with a long barrel.

“We don’t know what the motive was.

“We are looking into the background of the football match but keeping a completely open
mind.”

The source said a bike was found yesterday a significant distance from the scene, apparently
abandoned.

The source added: “It’s something we are pursuing but it’s not to say that the bike was used by the offender.

“Another call was received today about another bike found in the location.”

The source added that detectives believe there is no connection with the conclusion of a Crown Court case involving the murder of a Liverpool gang member. Five people were convicted at Liverpool Crown Court.

A minute’s silence will be held for Rhys before Everton Football Club’s game against Blackburn Rovers  and players from both teams will wear black armbands.

The youngster was a massive Everton supporter and is seen proudly wearing the team’s kit in three pictures released by his family.

Everton boss David Moyes and club captain Phil Neville joined the appeal for information.

Moyes said: “It is something we are all bitterly saddened about, we feel so much for the family, and this needs to be sorted out quickly.”

Neville added: “Everyone at Everton, and the players especially, send our condolences to the Jones family after the tragic death of their son, Rhys.

“We all here at the club have families of our own, and we cannot comprehend what you are going through.”

Residents on the Croxteth Park Estate, which was formerly the biggest private housing estate in Western Europe, spoke about living increasingly in the shadow of gun crime.

One man said Rhys was walking across the car park when a gunman cycled down a path on the other side of the pub.

“He just stopped and straddled the bike and shot through the car first, then another two shots. It’s just callous how he did it.

“My mate was stood outside and he said it could have been anyone but it looked like he aimed at the lad. It was a handgun, a big handgun.”

Around 100 officers have been placed on the investigation, supported by 200 staff from the Merseyside Police gun crime unit, Matrix, which was set up two years ago to tackle the problem.

The suspect is described as a slim white boy aged about 13 to 15 and around 5ft 8in.
He was riding a black BMX bicycle and wearing dark clothes, including a hoodie top with a peak, and white trainers.

Rhys was remembered in hymns and prayers at a vigil last night.

Dozens of members of the local community gathered at at the Emmaus Church of England and Catholic School, just yards from where he was shot.

And Doug Nicholls, the Unite union’s National Secretary representing youth workers, tonight called on Government to meet funding demand for more youth workers, saying such roles play an important part in raising the self-worth of excluded youngsters.