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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 used to kill 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 gun 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 | 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. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Six months on and our world has been turned upside down and all we want is justice for our son Stephen and Melanie Jones 'Progress' in Rhys inquiry | |
| Mr Kelly said he was aware about speculation in the community about the killer's identity, but said detectives would be dealing with evidence rather than rumour. | |
| "We have a very clear strategy for this investigation, and we're determined to leave no stone unturned," the detective said. | |
| "We're confident with the advancements we're making in the investigation, and that we will be able to progress towards charges and a successful prosecution, the timescale for which will be governed by the evidence." | |
| In a statement released through Merseyside Police, Rhys's parents Stephen and Melanie Jones said they were pleased with progress in the investigation. | |
| "No parent should ever have to go through what we are going through. Our lives will never be the same," they said. | |
| "Six months on and our world has been turned upside down and all we want is justice for our son." | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |