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Prayers for murdered boy's family Prayers for murdered boy's family
(about 1 hour later)
Prayers have been said in churches across Liverpool for 11-year-old Rhys Jones who was shot dead in Merseyside.Prayers have been said in churches across Liverpool for 11-year-old Rhys Jones who was shot dead in Merseyside.
Reverend Doctor David Leslie, vicar of St Cuthbert's Church, which is near to where Rhys was shot in Croxteth, said it had all been a "terrible shock".Reverend Doctor David Leslie, vicar of St Cuthbert's Church, which is near to where Rhys was shot in Croxteth, said it had all been a "terrible shock".
Police are continuing to question six people about the killing of Rhys after one was bailed on Saturday.Police are continuing to question six people about the killing of Rhys after one was bailed on Saturday.
Two boys, aged 15 and 16, two men aged 19, a girl, 15, and an 18-year-old woman are all currently in custody.Two boys, aged 15 and 16, two men aged 19, a girl, 15, and an 18-year-old woman are all currently in custody.
A 15-year-old boy was released after being arrested on Friday on Broadway in Norris Green.A 15-year-old boy was released after being arrested on Friday on Broadway in Norris Green.
'Absolutely devastated' Dr David Leslie said: "We'll pray for Rhys of course, and we'll be thinking very much of his mum and dad, and all those close to them.
Rev David Leslie said: "We'll pray for Rhys of course, and we'll be thinking very much of his mum and dad, and all those close to them. "I think everybody is absolutely devastated by what has happened. It's been a terrible shock and in some ways it seems almost unreal.
"I think everybody is absolutely devastated by what has happened. It's been a terrible shock and in some ways it seems almost unreal. It's very, very hard to come to terms with." "It's very, very hard to come to terms with."
Black armbands
On Saturday nearly 40,000 football fans paid tribute to Everton-mad Rhys with a minute's applause at Goodison Park.On Saturday nearly 40,000 football fans paid tribute to Everton-mad Rhys with a minute's applause at Goodison Park.
Everton players, and their opponents Blackburn Rovers, wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the boy, who had been playing football outside the Fir Tree pub shortly before he died last Wednesday.Everton players, and their opponents Blackburn Rovers, wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the boy, who had been playing football outside the Fir Tree pub shortly before he died last Wednesday.
Rhys's parents, Melanie and Stephen, and his brother, Owen, stood with Everton manager David Moyes as cheers erupted from the crowd.Rhys's parents, Melanie and Stephen, and his brother, Owen, stood with Everton manager David Moyes as cheers erupted from the crowd.
Everton footballers and fans paid tribute with a minute's applause
The boy's parents were comforted at the match by the club's chaplain, the Reverend Harry Ross.
Speaking on 5 Live Breakfast, he called on the government to redress what he saw as an imbalance in the justice system.
"Why should the moral majority be afraid of the immoral minority?" he said.
"Why are people afraid to speak out when something is wrong?"
The Justice Secretary Jack Straw, speaking on BBC News 24 on Sunday morning, said the issue could not be dealt with by the government and police alone, and urged anyone with information to come forward.
"I think that everybody has accepted now this is an issue beyond politics," he said.
Suspect injuredSuspect injured
Detectives are treating the inquiry in to Rhys's death as Category A Plus - the "most serious" of crimes.Detectives are treating the inquiry in to Rhys's death as Category A Plus - the "most serious" of crimes.
One of the 19-year-olds arrested is being questioned by detectives on suspicion of murder, while the other suffered minor injuries as he tried to escape arrest.One of the 19-year-olds arrested is being questioned by detectives on suspicion of murder, while the other suffered minor injuries as he tried to escape arrest.
The boys aged 15 and 16, and the females were arrested in Croxteth and Norris Green.
We have ways of protecting members of the public who come forward with information Ch Supt Chris Armitt, Merseyside Police Parents speak of lossWe have ways of protecting members of the public who come forward with information Ch Supt Chris Armitt, Merseyside Police Parents speak of loss
Officers would also like to speak to a woman who was seen pushing a pram near the scene shortly before Rhys was shot.
Det Supt Dave Kelly, the senior investigating officer, said: "We know from our inquiries there was a woman pushing a pram minutes before Rhys was killed and we believe she will have passed within close proximity to the killer.
"She is described as wearing white wide-legged trousers with a dark tunic style top, almost like a smock.
"She had dark hair, possibly tied back and was pushing a dark coloured pram at about 1925 BST."
Rhys "was in the wrong place at the wrong time", police have said.Rhys "was in the wrong place at the wrong time", police have said.
Mr Kelly said his bike-riding teenage killer emerged from an estate at the back of the Fir Tree pub.Mr Kelly said his bike-riding teenage killer emerged from an estate at the back of the Fir Tree pub.
He said that the boy cycled at the back of the pub for a few minutes before firing three bullets in Rhys's direction - one of which passed through the boy's neck.He said that the boy cycled at the back of the pub for a few minutes before firing three bullets in Rhys's direction - one of which passed through the boy's neck.
Chief Superintendent Chris Armitt said residents must "examine their consciences" and take a stand against gang culture.Chief Superintendent Chris Armitt said residents must "examine their consciences" and take a stand against gang culture.
Text information
Speaking at a press conference near the spot where Rhys was shot, Ch Supt Chris Armitt said: "We understand that people are concerned about giving information to the police, we understand that people are frightened.Speaking at a press conference near the spot where Rhys was shot, Ch Supt Chris Armitt said: "We understand that people are concerned about giving information to the police, we understand that people are frightened.
"[But] what I want to say to people is, listen, they've got to stand up and they've got be counted."[But] what I want to say to people is, listen, they've got to stand up and they've got be counted.
"We have ways of protecting members of the public who come forward with information, we can protect their identity.""We have ways of protecting members of the public who come forward with information, we can protect their identity."
Officers have been handing out leaflets in the area with a special number for young people to text information anonymously.
Police have said that they are examining an abandoned bicycle, found in an area with a different postcode to the shooting.
Officers also confirmed descriptions of the killer's firearm, describing it as a black handgun with a long barrel.