New arrest in Rhys Jones murder case
A 15-year-old youth was arrested today by detectives investigating the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, Merseyside Police said.
Rhys was gunned down a week ago today by a youth on a BMX bike in the car park of a pub in Croxteth, Liverpool, where the Everton fan had been playing football with his friends.
A force spokesman said: “I can confirm a 15-year-old local boy was arrested on suspicion of murder this morning.”
He described the arrest as “new”. Ten other youths have already been detained on suspicion of murder over the past week, with six bailed and four released without charge.
Earlier today divers joined a search for evidence being carried out in a wooded area close to the scene of the shooting in Croxteth.
Teams of officers are combing an area known as Dam Wood, where there are three large ponds.
Merseyside Police have not yet said what evidence they hope to find there.
But they described the search as “extensive”.
A spokesman said: “Divers are used in a number of circumstances such as waterways, sewers and areas which are quite dense.”
Tonight police will mark the one week since Rhys’s murder by stopping motorists and members of the public outside the Fir Tree public house, where he was shot in the back of the neck by a youth on a BMX bike.
Leaflets have been supplied by Tesco, where Rhys’s parents Melanie, 41, and Stephen, 44, are employed.
Tesco chief executive Terry Leahy grew up in east Liverpool and attended St Edwards College in nearby West Derby.
Police hope tonight’s campaign will help trace people who were around the Fir Tree Pub at 7.30pm last Wednesday but have yet to come forward.
Detectives are also appealing for those who have anonymously called the incident room and Crimestoppers hotlines with information to “be brave” and sign witness statements.
