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Rhys witness 'saw hooded gunman' Rhys witness 'saw hooded gunman'
(about 2 hours 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.
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.
He was on the floor and his head was on the kerb. All the people were screaming 'he's been shot' Prosecution witness, aged 14He was on the floor and his head was on the kerb. All the people were screaming 'he's been shot' Prosecution witness, aged 14
"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.Rhys was killed as he crossed the front car park of the pub on his way home from football training.
Football friendsFootball friends
The prosecution allege Mr Mercer fired three shots across the car park, aimed at members of a rival gang.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 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 had played each other.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 had played each other.
Rhys was shot outside The Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Eighteen-year-old Sean Mercer denies killing Rhys Jones
He described in detail the "shiny" black tracksuit and trainers the alleged gunman was wearing as well as the woollen hoodie which came out from under the jacket.He described in detail the "shiny" black tracksuit and trainers the alleged 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 said the sound of the three gunshots was "high pitched" and said he initially thought it was a cap gun.
He told the police interviewing officer that he then ran with his friend to the front of the pub and saw Rhys on the ground.He told the police interviewing officer that he then ran with his friend to the front of the pub and saw Rhys on the ground.
He said: "I could see Rhys on the floor and everybody was saying 'don't look, don't look'.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."He was on the floor and his head was on the kerb.
"All the people were screaming 'he's been shot'.""All the people were screaming 'he's been shot'."
More chargesMore charges
The witness, who was 13 at the time of the shooting, said he did not realise the boy was Rhys at that time.The witness, who was 13 at the time of the shooting, said he did not realise the boy was Rhys at that time.
He had mistaken Rhys' shinpads for those of another friend.He had mistaken Rhys' shinpads for those of another friend.
He said that when they saw Rhys on the ground his friend began to cry and said: "No, no, no."He said that when they saw Rhys on the ground his friend began to cry and said: "No, no, no."
Six others face charges alongside Mr Mercer.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.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.Two youths aged 16 and 17, who can only be identified as Boy M and Boy Q, also deny the same charge.
A sixth youth, a 17-year-old known as Boy K, denies assisting an offender and possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.A sixth youth, a 17-year-old known as Boy K, denies assisting an offender and possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.