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Community pays tribute to Rhys Community vigil tribute for Rhys
(10 minutes later)
Crowds of people have joined Rhys Jones's family at a community vigil to remember the murdered schoolboy's life. Thousands are expected to join Rhys Jones' family at a community vigil to mark the youngster's life on Sunday.
His parents and older brother Owen, 17, lit a candle in the pouring rain at the service in his memory at Liverpool's Croxteth Hall and Country Park. His mother Melanie, 41, father Stephen, 44, and older brother Owen, 17, will light a candle in his memory at Liverpool's Croxteth Country Park.
Community leaders renewed an appeal to find the killer of the 11-year-old, who was shot dead in a pub car park, and a young friend read a moving prayer. The event, at 1600 BST, will pay tribute to the 11-year-old and other gun victims and renew the appeal for information to catch his killer.
The Bishop of Liverpool urged anyone with information to come forward. A schoolboy friend will give a reading in honour of Rhys.
'Good and happy things' Rhys died after he was shot in the neck while making his way home after playing football with his friends in the Croxteth area of the city.
Nine-year-old Lewis Ainscough, a lifelong friend of Rhys, spoke to the crowd. The gunman, who was seen wearing a hooded top, made his escape on a BMX bicycle shortly after the shooting on 22 August.
"Heavenly Father, we are sad this afternoon because someone we knew very well and liked very much has died. Rhys Jones was shot as he walked home
"We don't often think about people dying, especially when they are very young, so this has been a great shock to us. Sunday's ceremony will also be attended by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, Lord Mayor of the city Paul Clark and June Simm - a teacher at Fazakerley High School, where Rhys was due to start this month.
"We believe that Rhys has gone to be with you, but that means he is not with us any longer. The vigil is aimed at remembering "all victims of gun crime, especially children".
To anyone who knows anything, they should come forward and tell the police as soon as possible Paul Clark,Lord Mayor of Liverpool It is also hoped it will offer emotional support to the youngster's family.
"Help us to remember the good and happy things about him and please comfort all who are unhappy." Murder squad detectives have made a total of 16 arrests in connection with the inquiry but all the suspects have been released.
Rhys died when he was shot in the neck while making his way home after playing football with his friends in the Croxteth Park area of the city. Eleven people have been bailed, with a further five released without charge.
The gunman, who was seen wearing a hooded top, escaped on a BMX bicycle shortly after the shooting in the car park of the Fir Tree pub on 22 August.
'Senseless'
Sunday's ceremony was also attended by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, and June Simm, a teacher at Fazakerley High School where Rhys was due to start this week.
The vigil was aimed at remembering "all victims of gun crime, especially children".
Rhys's parents did not speak at the service.
Rhys's family did not speak at the service
The lord mayor said the city was united in sorrow since the "senseless" killing.
He said the community would not be satisfied until it was safe for their families to go out.
"To anyone who knows anything," he said, "they should come forward and tell the police as soon as possible."
The BBC's Nick Ravenscroft, at the vigil, said many people had wanted to show Rhys's family that were keen to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with them, and to demand that anyone with evidence turn in those responsible.
Murder squad detectives have made a total of 16 arrests in connection with the inquiry, but all the suspects have been released.
Eleven people have been bailed, and a further five released without charge.
These five are now being treated as witnesses.These five are now being treated as witnesses.
Football shirtsFootball shirts
Acting Det Supt Dave Kelly, who is leading the murder investigation, said on Saturday he was keen to speak to a person who called Crimestoppers and reported seeing a man on a mobile phone.Acting Det Supt Dave Kelly, who is leading the murder investigation, said on Saturday he was keen to speak to a person who called Crimestoppers and reported seeing a man on a mobile phone.
Rhys's funeral will be held on Thursday and his family have asked those attending to wear their team's football shirts or bright colours in his memory. Rhys' funeral will be held on Thursday and his family have asked those attending to wear their team's football shirts or bright colours in his memory.
His parents Stephen and Melanie have spoken of the overwhelming support they have had from the people of Liverpool and from further afield. Thousands are expected to line the streets as his hearse draws past Everton FC's Goodison Park ground to Liverpool's Anglican cathedral.
Mrs Jones said: "People done this city proud. The overwhelming support and strength of feeling is really moving for us. Stephen and Melanie Jones have spoken of the overwhelming support they have had from the people of Liverpool and from further afield.
'Dark days'
Mrs Jones said: "The people of Liverpool have done this city proud. The overwhelming support and strength of feeling is really moving for us.
"There are a lot of good people in Liverpool. It's just the minority who spoil it for the good people.""There are a lot of good people in Liverpool. It's just the minority who spoil it for the good people."
Her husband added that there would be "dark days" ahead.Her husband added that there would be "dark days" ahead.
"It's been difficult for us to take it all in and part of us is still waiting for Rhys to come home from the match. " "It's been difficult for us to take it all in and part of us is still waiting for Rhys to come home from the match.
"We know there are dark days ahead. We have the vigil and the funeral next week, which will be major emotional hurdles for us.
"But we want people to have the opportunity to remember Rhys this Sunday and to celebrate his life with us."