Police find 'Rhys murder weapon'

Merseyside detectives investigating the death of 11-year-old Rhys Jones say they have found a gun believed to be the murder weapon.

The development comes almost six months to the day Rhys, a fanatical Everton supporter, was killed as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, on August 22.

Officers also revealed they have established the exact make of bicycle used by the mystery hooded youth who left Rhys dying in a pool of blood after he was shot at while crossing the car park outside the Fir Tree pub.

It is suspected the gunman was aiming at other youths and detectives have stressed that Rhys had nothing to do with gangs and was an innocent victim.

Rhys's mother Melanie cradled her youngest son in her arms as he died at the scene.

Police said the gun was one of 108 removed from the streets since the schoolboy was murdered.

A total of 17 people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, four of whom remain on bail pending further inquiries.

The rest have been released without charge but are being treated as "significant" witnesses, police said.

On January 29 the prime suspect in the murder is detained on separate firearms offences but bailed 48 hours later.

Last week, Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly, who is leading the inquiry, says he remains confident the killer will be brought to justice.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

Share this article

Send this article to a friend »

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon

What are these?