Thousands expected at vigil for Rhys Jones

Sep 2 2007 By David Higgerson

Thousands of well-wishers are expected to join the family of Rhys Jones today at a community vigil to mark the youngster’s life.

His mother Melanie, 41, father Stephen, 44, and older brother Owen, 17, will light a candle in his memory at the ceremony at Croxteth Country Park at 4pm.

The event will pay tribute to the 11-year-old together with other gun crime victims and renew the appeal for information to help catch Rhys’s killer.

A schoolboy friend will give a reading in honour of his murdered pal and there will be singing by a community choir.

Rhys died after he was blasted in the neck with a single shot while walking home after playing football with his friends.

The gunman, who was seen wearing a hooded top, made his escape on a BMX bicycle shortly after the shooting on August 22.

Rhys’s mother raced to the scene and cradled her dying son in her arms.

He was rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital but despite the efforts of doctors he died a short time later.

Today’s ceremony will also be attended by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, Lord Mayor of the city Paul Clark and June Simm - a teacher at Fazakerley High School, where Rhys was due to start this month.

The vigil is aimed at remembering “all victims of gun crime, especially children”. It is also hoped it will offer emotional support to the youngster’s family.

Murder squad detectives have made a total of 16 arrests in connection with the inquiry but all the suspects have been released.

Eleven people have been bailed, with a further five released without charge. These five are now being treated as witnesses.

Police are keen to speak to a number of people who they believe may hold crucial information in connection with the murder hunt.

Acting Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly, who is leading the murder investigation, was keen to speak to a person who called Crimestoppers on Friday August 24 and reported seeing a man on a mobile phone.

Officers are also keen to speak to a man who called police at 11.20pm the following night.

The funeral for the Everton-mad youngster will be held on Thursday and his family have invited all the city’s well-wishers to attend.

People have been asked to wear their team’s football shirts or bright colours in Rhys’s memory.

Thousands are expected to line the streets as his hearse draws past Goodison Park to Liverpool’s Anglican cathedral.

In the schoolboy’s death notice, published yesterday, his parents said: “Rhys, we lost you so suddenly, we keep asking ’why?’, you’ve gone up to heaven to play football in the sky.

“Our hearts are breaking, the pain we can’t describe, till we meet again, to stand side by side.

“Goodnight and God bless, son - brokenhearted parents Stephen and Melanie.”

The couple signed off with 11 kisses - one for each year of their son’s life.

The funeral will begin at 2pm and Rhys’s favourite tune, Everton’s Z Cars theme anthem, will be played, it is believed.

The public service will be followed by a private interment, attended only by family and close friends.