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Funeral for shooting victim Rhys Funeral for shooting victim Rhys
(about 2 hours later)
The funeral of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, who was shot dead as he walked home from football practice, will take place later. Hundreds of people, wearing football shirts and bright clothing have arrived at Liverpool's Anglican cathedral to pay their respects to Rhys Jones.
Rhys, who was a fan of Everton Football Club, was shot in Croxteth Park in Merseyside on 22 August. The Merseyside cathedral holds 2,300 people and has erected speakers outside to accommodate the expected crowds.
His parents said bright clothes or football strips should be worn for a service in his memory at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral.
He will be buried later at a private ceremony for family and friends.He will be buried later at a private ceremony for family and friends.
Eleven-year-old Rhys, who was a fan of Everton Football Club, was fatally shot in Croxteth Park on 22 August. His killer has not yet been found.
A team of local builders also downed tools to pay their respects and hung a makeshift banner from the site's scaffolding bearing the message 'Rest in Peace Rhys'.
In line with his parents' wishes the hushed crowds filing towards the church have worn a mixture of football shirts and bright clothes.
The majority have put on the blue shirts of Rhys's team Everton and many carried homemade placards and banners displaying the youngster's picture and messages of sympathy.
Police closed off the road, which was lined with hundreds of mourners, leading up to the cathedral as the funeral procession neared.
The Right Reverend James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, said Rhys's family wanted as many people as possible to come to the cathedral service.The Right Reverend James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, said Rhys's family wanted as many people as possible to come to the cathedral service.
"One of the lovely things about the city of Liverpool is the way people come together, there's such solidarity. "One of the lovely things about the city of Liverpool is the way people come together, there's such solidarity," he said.
I think we have got to have a round-table commission and find out what we can do, because there seems to be a epidemic of adolescent lawlessness Right Reverend James Jones,Bishop of LiverpoolI think we have got to have a round-table commission and find out what we can do, because there seems to be a epidemic of adolescent lawlessness Right Reverend James Jones,Bishop of Liverpool
"That's why they've taken this unusual step, really, of asking for the service to be in the cathedral so it can be open to as many members of the public as want to come."That's why they've taken this unusual step, really, of asking for the service to be in the cathedral so it can be open to as many members of the public as want to come.
"The presence of other people in the city is going to be a great strength to them on such a sad day," he added. "The presence of other people in the city is going to be a great strength to them on such a sad day."
The Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, also said that Rhys's murder was part of an "epidemic of adolescent lawlessness" and called for the establishment of a commission to look for solutions to the problem.The Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, also said that Rhys's murder was part of an "epidemic of adolescent lawlessness" and called for the establishment of a commission to look for solutions to the problem.
"I think we have got to have a round-table commission and find out what we can do, because there seems to be a epidemic of adolescent lawlessness. "I think we have got to have a round-table commission and find out what we can do, because there seems to be a epidemic of adolescent lawlessness," he said.
"We don't want to demonise young people because there are some wonderful young people in our country, but there is an issue about young people being out of control, especially in some parts of our city."We don't want to demonise young people because there are some wonderful young people in our country, but there is an issue about young people being out of control, especially in some parts of our city.
"We have got to ask what can we do with these young people and how as a society can we bring up our young people to be responsible citizens.""We have got to ask what can we do with these young people and how as a society can we bring up our young people to be responsible citizens."
Every senior player who is not on international duty will attend Ian Ross, Everton FC spokesmanEvery senior player who is not on international duty will attend Ian Ross, Everton FC spokesman
Rhys Jones was a keen supporter of Everton football club and spokesman for the club Ian Ross said it would have a "pronounced" presence at the funeral.Rhys Jones was a keen supporter of Everton football club and spokesman for the club Ian Ross said it would have a "pronounced" presence at the funeral.
Representatives will include club president, Sir Philip Carter, manager David Moyes and up to 15 senior players.Representatives will include club president, Sir Philip Carter, manager David Moyes and up to 15 senior players.
The cathedral service will follow a funeral procession from the Jones family home in Croxteth past Goodison Park, home to Everton. The funeral procession started from the Jones family home in Croxteth and went past Goodison Park, home to Everton.
"Every senior player who is not on international duty will attend," he said."Every senior player who is not on international duty will attend," he said.
Personal messagePersonal message
"They all wanted to be there. They see it as their duty really, and those who can't attend are very sorry they will not be able to pay their respects to Rhys."They all wanted to be there. They see it as their duty really, and those who can't attend are very sorry they will not be able to pay their respects to Rhys.
"Our chairman, Bill Kenwright, is unable to get back from the United States on time and he has sent a personal message to the family saying his thoughts are with them.""Our chairman, Bill Kenwright, is unable to get back from the United States on time and he has sent a personal message to the family saying his thoughts are with them."
Liverpool FC will be represented by former players Brian Hall, Phil Neal and David Fairclough. Liverpool FC were represented by former players Brian Hall, Phil Neal and David Fairclough.
Pupils and staff from Rhys's former primary school, Broad Square, will also attend the funeral. Pupils and staff from Rhys's former primary school, Broad Square, also attended the funeral.
Police chiefs at a firearms conference in Birmingham held a minute's silence for Rhys in the hours leading up to the service.Police chiefs at a firearms conference in Birmingham held a minute's silence for Rhys in the hours leading up to the service.
So far Merseyside Police have arrested 17 people in the murder investigation.So far Merseyside Police have arrested 17 people in the murder investigation.
Twelve people have been bailed and a further five released without charge. They are now being treated as witnesses.Twelve people have been bailed and a further five released without charge. They are now being treated as witnesses.
You can watch Rhys Jones' funeral on the BBC News website from 1400 BST .You can watch Rhys Jones' funeral on the BBC News website from 1400 BST .