Rhys Jones murder: Two gun teens arrested

Nov 20 2007 By Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

Rhys Jones, 11 year old died after lone gunman opened fire on him outside a crowded pub on a Merseyside estate last night

THE team of detectives investigating the murder of Rhys Jones are questioning two teenagers on suspicion of harbouring the gun that killed Rhys Jones.

Detectives swooped on two addresses in Croxteth early this morning after getting forensic results back on two guns recovered by the investigation team.

One of those weapons is thought to be the long-barreled black handgun that killed 11-year-old Rhys.

The 11-year-old was shot dead as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, in August.

A 16-year-old youth and 18-year-old man have been taken to separate police stations on Merseyside where they are being quizzed by detectives.

A police spokeswoman said: "This is one new arrest and one re-arrest for possession of a firearm.

"They have not been arrested for the murder of Rhys Jones."

Although 18 people have previously been arrested, no-one has been charged in connection with Rhys's murder.

Detectives are investigating a theory that the bullet was fired by a teenage gang member aiming for a rival.

The Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Bernard Hogan-Howe has previously said detectives do know who killed Rhys and are building a case against them.

There have been appeals for a woman driving a red car who nearly hit a youth, thought to be the gunman, as he cycled in front of her car shortly after the time of the shooting on 22 August, to come forward.

Another potential witness - a boy in his early teens - was also seen cycling around the car park on a silver BMX just before the shooting at 1915 BST.

Two BBC Crimewatch appeals, including a reconstruction of the shooting, leaflet drops, phone messaging and billboard adverts have been made in Croxteth in an effort to identify the cyclist.

carolineinees@dailypost.co.uk