RHYS JONES: Fearful families impose curfew after Rhys shooting

Aug 27 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

SIX teenagers arrested on suspicion of the murder of Rhys Jones remained in police custody last night but detectives would not say whether they had found the 11-year-old’s killer.

As Merseyside Police said they had arrested another 15-year-old boy on suspicion of murder, families in Norris Green revealed they had banned their children from playing in the street, amid fears of a revenge shooting.

Parents said there was a genuine fear that gangs from Croxteth would retaliate for the killing of the Everton-mad schoolboy – by possibly taking the life of another innocent child at random.

The outpouring of grief over the weekend was against the backdrop of three more gun-related incidents around Liverpool.

Rhys’s brother yesterday made his first visit to the huge floral shrine outside the Fir Tree Pub, in Croxteth Park, the scene of Wednesday’s callous killing.

Owen, flanked by four friends, delivered a large bouquet and remained to pay his respects for several minutes. The 17-year-old also delivered an Everton rug bearing the motto “The People's Club” and has posted internet messages to quash rumours that his brother was part of any gang.

His comments that Rhys was an innocent who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time have added to spec-ulation locally that the Broad Square pupil was killed by mistake by a teenage gunman who was sent to shoot somebody else.

Owen wrote: “I took the time to set up this account just to inform you that Rhys wasn’t part of any gang.”

He added: “I hope to God that the thug who fired at Rhys is caught and gets his punishment for taking such a promising life away because I do not want anybody, Blue or Red, feeling what myself and my family currently are.

“RIP, my little brother, you will never be forgotten.”

Following the latest arrest, another 15-year-old boy was released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Of the six teenagers still in custody last night, there were two girls aged 15 and 18, two 19-year-old men, a 16-year-old boy, and a 15-year-old arrested yesterday.

Officers also confirmed that a potentially key witness – a woman pushing a pram at the murder scene five minutes before the shooting – had been traced and was helping police with the investigation.

Five days after the murder, residents of Croxteth Park are continuing to visit the crime scene to pay their last respects.

Meanwhile, police squads, backed up by armed response units with special stop-and- search powers, were sweeping Norris Green and Croxteth – home to rival gangs the Croccy Crew and Nogga Dogs.

Tesco, Rhys’s parents employers, last night also joined the drive to track down the killer by launching a poster and leaflet campaign at their Deysbrook Lane superstore.

Tesco, backed by Merseyside Police, have produced thousands of leaflets appealing for information.

Tesco’s chief executive, Liverpool-born Sir Terry Leahy, said he would do whatever he could to support Rhys’s parents, Tesco employees Melanie and Stephen and said the company would use its links with the community to help bring the killer to justice.

He added: “Our hearts go out to Rhys’s parents, whose lives have been turned upside down by this senseless killing.

“I know that every one of their colleagues at Tesco is thinking of them and we are determined to do whatever we can to help Merseyside Police bring those responsible for Rhys’s murder to justice. ”

Mrs Jones, 41, wept as 38,000 fans gave her son, a devoted Everton fan, a minute-long round of applause at Goodison Park.

The applause at the match against Blackburn Rovers replaced the traditional minute's silence.

She stood with her husband and eldest son as Rhys’s heroes, Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville and Andrew Johnson, led the cries of “Everton, Everton”.

LARRY NEILD: PAGE 11;

SPORT – POST MATCH: PAGES 2-3

carolineinnes