An 11-year-old boy has died after being shot in the neck in the Croxteth area of Liverpool.
Police are hunting the killer of an 11-year-old boy who was shot dead on his way home from playing football.
The boy, who was named as Rhys Jones, was walking across the car park of the Fir Tree public house on Fir Tree Drive on Wednesday night.
Rhys Jones was hit by a bullet in the car park of the Fir Tree public house on Fir Tree Drive, Croxteth, Liverpool on Wednesday night.
A witness said a teenager on a BMX bicycle fired three shots, one of which hit Rhys in the neck.
A witness said a teenager on a BMX bicycle fired three shots, one of which struck Rhys in the neck.
Merseyside Police have appealed directly to local gangs for information about the shooting.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I'm sure hearts go out to the family of that little boy."
Officers have sealed off the scene, including a neighbouring parade of shops, and no-one has yet been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Merseyside Police have appealed to local gangs for information.
'Ripped apart'
'Ripped apart'
Officers have sealed off the scene, including a neighbouring parade of shops, and no-one has yet been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Police said Rhys lived in the local area with his mother, father and 17-year-old brother.
He was on his way home from football training, still wearing his kit, when he was shot at about 1930 BST.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne appealed to the local community to help catch the killer.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne appealed to the local community to help catch the killer.
He said: "Someone out there knows who put the gun in his hand and I want your help to get the community to turn that gunman in.
He said: "Someone out there knows who put the gun in his hand and I want your help to get the community to turn that gunman in.
"This is quite an awful crime, quite senseless, and the community holds the clue to solving this crime quickly.
"This is quite an awful crime, quite senseless, and the community holds the clue to solving this crime quickly.
"You can only imagine the heartache of the family that's been ripped apart.
"You can only imagine the heartache of the family that's been ripped apart.
"We urge anybody, particularly in the criminal fraternity, that this is quite an awful and senseless crime and please turn in who is responsible quickly.
"We urge anybody, particularly in the criminal fraternity, that this is quite an awful and senseless crime and please turn in who is responsible quickly.
"There is no hiding place and no time for silence."
"There is no hiding place and no time for silence."
The eyewitness, who did not want to be named but was drinking outside the pub, said a youth aged about 14 or 15, wearing a hoodie, rode up to the car park and fired three shots from a distance of about 30 metres.
The eyewitness, who did not want to be named but was drinking outside the pub, said a youth aged about 14 or 15, wearing a hoodie, rode up to the car park and fired three shots from a distance of about 30 metres.
One shot missed the boys and another hit a car, while the other bullet hit Rhys. People came from the pub to help him and his mother was also called to the scene.
One shot missed the boys and another hit a car, while the other bullet hit Rhys. People came from the pub to help him and his mother was also called to the scene.
A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said: "We treated an 11-year-old with serious gunshot wounds."
He added the boy, who had been returning from football training on playing fields close to the pub, was taken to Alder Hey hospital where he was pronounced dead.
'Gangs of youths'
'Gangs of youths'
Councillor Rose Bailey, who lives nearby and is a member of the local police authority, appealed for people with information to come forward.
Councillor Rose Bailey, who lives nearby and is a member of the local police authority, appealed for people with information to come forward.
She added: "It sends shockwaves through the community of Croxteth and really it must be devastating.
She added: "It sends shockwaves through the community of Croxteth and really it must be devastating.
"To think your young son is out playing football and then to get a call to say he's been shot, I really don't know as a parent how you would handle that."
"To think your young son is out playing football and then to get a call to say he's been shot, I really don't know as a parent how you would handle that."
The area around the pub was made a "designated area" by police last year, meaning officers could disperse groups and move people away from the area.
Langley Close, the area around the pub, was made a "designated area" by police last year, meaning officers could disperse groups and move people away from the area.
The decision was made in response to concerns raised by local residents about youths gathering outside the pub and local shops.
The decision was made in response to concerns raised by local residents about youths gathering outside the pub and local shops.
At the time, Neighbourhood Inspector Louise Harrison said: "The designated area has been introduced in response to concerns about gangs of youths who hang around the local area behaving in an anti-social way."
At the time, Neighbourhood Inspector Louise Harrison said: "The designated area has been introduced in response to concerns about gangs of youths who hang around the local area behaving in an anti-social way."
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Do you live in the area? Did you see what happened or have been affected by this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
