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| Weapon found in Rhys murder probe | Weapon found in Rhys murder probe |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Detectives investigating the murder of Rhys Jones believe they have found the gun which killed the 11-year-old. | Detectives investigating the murder of Rhys Jones believe they have found the gun which killed the 11-year-old. |
| Rhys was shot dead as he walked across a pub car park in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, six months ago. | Rhys was shot dead as he walked across a pub car park in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, six months ago. |
| Since then Merseyside Police officers have taken 108 guns off the streets, one of which they believe to be the murder weapon. | Since then Merseyside Police officers have taken 108 guns off the streets, one of which they believe to be the murder weapon. |
| Detectives also believe they have identified the exact make of bicycle used by the gunman. | Detectives also believe they have identified the exact make of bicycle used by the gunman. |
| Forensic tests are continuing on the weapon, although police have not revealed what kind of firearm it is. | Forensic tests are continuing on the weapon, although police have not revealed what kind of firearm it is. |
| Although the firearm was found some time ago, police have released the information after the conclusion of initial tests in the week of the six-month anniversary of Rhys's murder. | Although the firearm was found some time ago, police have released the information after the conclusion of initial tests in the week of the six-month anniversary of Rhys's murder. |
| Det Supt Dave Kelly, leading the inquiry, was particularly keen to trace anyone who saw the gunman on a silver Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike on the night of the killing. | Det Supt Dave Kelly, leading the inquiry, was particularly keen to trace anyone who saw the gunman on a silver Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike on the night of the killing. |
| Police are now trying to trace this mountain bike | |
| A photograph of the bike - which had a silver frame, black forks and black seat - has also been released, | A photograph of the bike - which had a silver frame, black forks and black seat - has also been released, |
| Mr Kelly said: "I am appealing to anyone who may have seen anyone riding this type of bike in the area following Rhys's murder to contact us. | Mr Kelly said: "I am appealing to anyone who may have seen anyone riding this type of bike in the area following Rhys's murder to contact us. |
| "I am also appealing to anyone who may know where this bike is now to come forward." | "I am also appealing to anyone who may know where this bike is now to come forward." |
| Police believe the bike was left next to another one on a football playing field on Parkview Road, Croxteth, at about 2030 GMT on the night of the murder. | |
| In the six months since Rhys was shot dead, 20 people have been arrested as part of the inquiry - 17 of them on suspicion of murder. | |
| Four remain on police bail while a number are now being treated as witnesses. Two were bailed after being questioned on suspicion of firearms offences and one person was held on suspicion of helping an offender. | |
| Rhys was hit by a bullet in the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park on 22 August 2007 and died at the scene. The shot was fired by a youth on a mountain bike. | |
| The 11-year-old had been walking home from football practice and police believe he was the innocent victim of a gangland feud and the killer had another target. |