Two teenage boys have been arrested by police hunting the killer of an 11-year-old boy who was shot dead on his way home from playing football.
Two teenage boys have been arrested by police hunting the killer of an 11-year-old boy who was shot dead on his way home from playing football.
Rhys Jones was hit by a bullet in the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth, Liverpool on Wednesday night.
Rhys Jones was hit by a bullet in the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth, Liverpool on Wednesday night.
Merseyside Police said two teenagers from Croxteth, aged 14 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of murder.
Merseyside Police said two teenagers from Croxteth, aged 14 and 18, had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I'm sure hearts go out to the family of that little boy."
However, Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said police still needed witnesses to come forward.
Merseyside Police have appealed to local gangs for information.
"There have been two arrests in this case, but that doesn't prove anything.
'Ripped apart'
Somebody... will know who committed the crime and who provided the weapon - and we want them both Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable
Officers have sealed off the scene, including a neighbouring parade of shops.
"The principal thing I need to get over to the public is we need your help, and we are not yet at all certain as to who committed this crime."
Earlier Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "desperately sorry" for Rhys' family.
"I'm sure hearts go out to the family of that little boy."
Police said Rhys lived in the local area with his mother, father and 17-year-old brother.
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.
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.
A witness said three shots were fired by a youth, with his face covered by a hood, who rode past on a BMX bicycle.
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.
Mr Hogan-Howe said his reaction to the murder was one of "absolute shock and horror".
"This is quite an awful crime, quite senseless, and the community holds the clue to solving this crime quickly.
"Any murder is terrible and any shooting is a terrible event, but for an 11-year-old boy to die in this way on the streets has got to be something we all have to make sure does not happen again."
"You can only imagine the heartache of the family that's been ripped apart.
Mr Hogan-Howe repeated earlier calls for the community and local gangs to come forward with information.
"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.
"Somebody out there will know who did this. They will know who committed the crime and who provided the weapon - and we want them both," he added.
"There is no hiding place and no time for silence."
About 100 officers have been assigned to the investigation and police remain at the scene, including a neighbouring parade of shops.
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.
Three shots fired
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.
An 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.
'Gangs of youths'
One shot missed the boys and another hit a car, while the other bullet hit Rhys. He was taken to Alder Hey Hospital but later pronounced dead.
Rhys was hit by one of three shots fired
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."
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.
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."
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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.
