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Rhys witness 'saw hooded gunman' Rhys witness 'saw hooded gunman'
(10 minutes later)
A 14-year-old boy saw a hooded gunman just moments before schoolboy Rhys Jones was shot dead, a court has heard.A 14-year-old boy saw a hooded gunman just moments before schoolboy Rhys Jones was shot dead, a court has heard.
The teenager was sitting with a friend in a tree behind the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth, Liverpool, when 11-year-old Rhys was shot in August 2007.The teenager was sitting with a friend in a tree behind the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth, Liverpool, when 11-year-old Rhys was shot in August 2007.
Liverpool Crown Court was played a taped interview with the witness, who described seeing a teenager ride past him "really fast" on a bike.Liverpool Crown Court was played a taped interview with the witness, who described seeing a teenager ride past him "really fast" on a bike.
Sean Mercer, 18, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder.Sean Mercer, 18, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder.
Shots heard
The witness said: "I saw a lad aged about 13 or 14 riding past really fast on a black BMX bike.The witness said: "I saw a lad aged about 13 or 14 riding past really fast on a black BMX bike.
"He had a black tracksuit on and a black hoodie on."He had a black tracksuit on and a black hoodie on.
All the people were screaming 'He's been shot' A 14-year-old witness
"He went around the side of the pub and about three seconds after we lost sight of him we heard the shots.""He went around the side of the pub and about three seconds after we lost sight of him we heard the shots."
He added: "A few seconds after that, he came back riding very quickly.He added: "A few seconds after that, he came back riding very quickly.
"He was trying to put something in his pocket and wobbled his bike and went on to the grass."He was trying to put something in his pocket and wobbled his bike and went on to the grass.
"My friend jumped off the tree and everybody was shouting to go in the pub.""My friend jumped off the tree and everybody was shouting to go in the pub."
Rhys was killed as he crossed the front car park of the pub on his way home from football training.
Football friends
The prosecution allege Mr Mercer fired three shots across the car park, aimed at members of a rival gang.
The second bullet, the jury has been told, struck Rhys in the neck and he died in his mother's arms a short time later.
The young witness, who cannot be named, said he knew Rhys as they played in the same junior football league and often spoke after their teams played each other.
He told the interviewing officer he had watched Rhys at football practice shortly before the shooting.
Rhys was shot outside The Fir Tree pub in Croxteth
He described in detail the "shiny" black tracksuit and trainers the gunman was wearing as well as the woollen hoodie which came out from under the jacket.
He said the sound of the three gunshots was "high pitched" and said he initially thought it was a cap gun.
He told the interviewer how he ran with his friend to the front of the pub and saw Rhys was on the ground.
He said: "I could see Rhys on the floor and everybody was saying 'Don't look, don't look'.
"He was on the floor and his head was on the kerb.
"All the people were screaming 'He's been shot'."
Six others face charges alongside Mr Mercer.
James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Mr Kays, of Mallard Close, and Mr Coy, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, are accused of assisting an offender.
Two youths aged 16 and 17, who can only be identified as Boy M and Boy Q, also deny the same charge.
A sixth person, a 17-year-old known as Boy K, denies assisting an offender and possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.