Facebook tribute to tragic Rhys

Aug 25 2007

Rhys Jones, wearing number three,

A MAN who said he was Rhys Jones’s uncle posted thoughts about the “happy little Corinthian” on an Everton website, urging the community to help to catch the “absolute vermin” responsible for his death.

The message said Rhys had no possible need to be involved in gang culture, with a loving family, and unlimited access to his “first and greatest love” – football.

Rhys’s brother, Owen, also wrote on the Everton website: “I hope to God that the thug that fired at Rhys is caught and gets his punishment for taking such a promising life away.

“Please do not think my brother was part of any gang, he was just an innocent boy in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

A host of tributes to Rhys from up and down the country appeared on the Gone Too Soon website and groups were set up on social net- working site Facebook.

One, from Jo in Cardiff read: “How can a young lad go out to play football and not come home?

“If anyone knows anything, please come forward, it’s the right thing to do. God bless.”

Another, from Dawn in London, said: “I simply cannot believe that I’m living in a world where an innocent 11-year-old boy is shot in the back on his neck . . . what a coward that gunman is.”

A third message said: “Heaven will show these cowards true justice, bless you Rhys, rest in peace x.”