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Two held in hunt for boy's killer Two held in hunt for boy's killer
(20 minutes later)
Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of an 11-year-old boy who was shot dead on his way home from playing football.Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of the murder 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 Fir Tree pub car park in Croxteth, Liverpool, on Wednesday night.Rhys Jones was hit by a bullet in the Fir Tree pub car park in Croxteth, Liverpool, on Wednesday night.
A witness said three shots were fired by a youth, with his face covered by a hood, who rode past on a BMX bicycle.A witness said three shots were fired by a youth, with his face covered by a hood, who rode past on a BMX bicycle.
Police asked for help from the local community, despite the arrests of the two local males, aged 14 and 18.Police asked for help from the local community, despite the arrests of the two local males, aged 14 and 18.
Merseyside Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "There have been two arrests in this case, but that doesn't prove anything.Merseyside Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "There have been two arrests in this case, but that doesn't prove anything.
He was an absolutely brilliant little lad Tony Ainscough,Neighbour Reaction to the shooting He was an absolutely brilliant little lad Tony Ainscough,Neighbour Reaction to the shooting class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6959856.stm">In pictures: Rhys murder
"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.""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."
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was meeting the prime minister at Downing Street to discuss youth crime, a discussion which was planned prior to the shooting.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was meeting the prime minister at Downing Street to discuss youth crime, a discussion which was planned prior to the shooting.
"I am shocked and saddened to hear about this tragic shooting. My thoughts are with the victim's family and friends," said Ms Smith."I am shocked and saddened to hear about this tragic shooting. My thoughts are with the victim's family and friends," said Ms Smith.
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 with two friends, still wearing his kit, when he was shot at about 1930 BST.He was on his way home from football training with two friends, still wearing his kit, when he was shot at about 1930 BST.
Mr Hogan-Howe said his reaction to the murder was one of "absolute shock and horror".Mr Hogan-Howe said his reaction to the murder was one of "absolute shock and horror".
"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.""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."
Mr Hogan-Howe repeated earlier calls for the community and local gangs to come forward with information.Mr Hogan-Howe repeated earlier calls for the community and local gangs to come forward with information.
"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."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.
About 100 officers have been assigned to the investigation and police are still examining the scene, including a neighbouring parade of shops.About 100 officers have been assigned to the investigation and police are still examining the scene, including a neighbouring parade of shops.
Three shots firedThree shots fired
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 30m.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 30m.
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.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.
Police are continuing to examine the scenePolice are continuing to examine the scene
A neighbour of the family - who did not want to be named - said he was "staggered" by the news.A neighbour of the family - who did not want to be named - said he was "staggered" by the news.
He said: "He was just a lovely kid, always out playing football and in an Everton shirt. He came from a well-respected, loving family."He said: "He was just a lovely kid, always out playing football and in an Everton shirt. He came from a well-respected, loving family."
Another neighbour, Tony Ainscough, 31, whose nine-year-old son was a friend of Rhys, said: "I am absolutely devastated. It's just getting absolutely pathetic.Another neighbour, Tony Ainscough, 31, whose nine-year-old son was a friend of Rhys, said: "I am absolutely devastated. It's just getting absolutely pathetic.
"He was an absolutely brilliant little lad, an innocent little kid."He was an absolutely brilliant little lad, an innocent little kid.
"He and my son would play computer games together, there's no way he had anything to do with gangs and people need to know that.""He and my son would play computer games together, there's no way he had anything to do with gangs and people need to know that."
Langley Close, the area around the pub, was made a "designated area" by Merseyside 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 Merseyside 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.


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