Rhys murder weapon found

Yet six months after Rhys Jones was shot dead, no-one has been charged with his murder.

Police are hoping two new developments will change that.

They believe they now have the weapon that was used to kill Rhys.

It's one of more than a hundred guns recovered in police operations on Merseyside since his murder.

Keen not to compromise chances of a conviction, they're not saying what type of gun it is - or how they know it's the murder weapon.

11-year-old Rhys died as he headed home after a game last August, still in his football kit .

He was shot in the car park of the Fir Tree Pub in Croxteth. The police now believe they know the make of the bicycle used by his killer.

It was dumped with another bike on a football pitch in Park View Road. Both bikes are still missing. The police have released a photograph of the model.

They say it's a 'Specialised Hard Rock' mountain bike with a silver frame and a black seat.

Police have appealed for anyone who's seen the bicycle or knows where it is to contact them.

So far 20 people have been arrested - 17 of them on suspicion of murder.

Statement

In a statement the police officer leading the investigation responded to the speculation surrounding the identity of the main suspect:

"We have to deal with fact and require evidence to present any case and progress it through the courts."

"We're confident with the advancements we're making in the investigation, and that we will be able to progress towards charges and a successful prosecution, the timescale for which will be governed by the evidence."

Poignant

With the six month anniversary of Rhys' murder on Friday, his parents Stephen and Melanie have also released a statement:

"We have had to face occasions like Rhys' 12th birthday and Christmas, these are normally occasions which are filled with fun and laughter. But instead of celebrating we were left with a completely empty feeling and the pain and loss that we have had to face every day was magnified by the poignancy of the anniversary."

Rhys's parents say they're pleased with the progression of the police investigation - they say all they want is justice for their son.

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