Rhys murder: Four released

Murder squad detectives tonight released four men arrested earlier today on suspicion of the murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones.

The four – all males, aged 24, 20, 17 and 16 – were arrested in Liverpool in connection with the murder of the 11-year-old, who was gunned down while walking home on August 22.

Rhys was rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital with a gunshot wound to the neck but later died.

A total of 16 people have now been arrested on suspicion of murder before being released.

Seven people were arrested and bailed with a further five being arrested and released without charge. These five are now being treated as witnesses.

The news came as police repeated their pleas for two people who have contacted authorities with information to get back in touch.

Acting Det Supt Dave Kelly, who is leading the murder hunt, said: “People are aware that we have described one individual firing a gun but as with any offence, there are various stages and elements to it, including where the gun came from and what happened afterwards.

“When we have grounds to suspect people involved in any stage, they will be arrested in connection with this offence.”

Police were continuing their search for the gun which killed the young Everton fan, who was returning home from playing football with friends when he was hit with a single shot.

Detailed forensic work was also being carried out, with officers pursuing extensive house-to-house inquiries in the area.

Det Supt Kelly added: “At this stage we are looking at a number of motives, but the strongest line of inquiry is that Rhys was the accidental victim of a targeted attack against others.

“We also can’t rule out that this situation involved local opposing factions.”

Det Supt Kelly said he was anxious to speak again to a caller who rang Crimestoppers last Friday with “significant” information about seeing a male talking on a mobile phone.

“I would appeal for this person to make direct contact with me,” he said.

“We appreciate the information they have supplied but we now want to speak to them directly.

“There’s a lot we can do to protect a witness’s identity and we will use every appropriate measure.

“The information from Crimestoppers was significant but we now need to speak to the caller directly.”

On Wednesday, officers had appealed for another caller to be “brave” and contact them again.

On the night of Rhys’s death, his mother, Melanie, 41, was at the scene within minutes and held her son as he lay dying.

Today, she and husband Stephen, 44, invited a city united in grief to attend their son’s funeral on Thursday.

Thousands are expected to line the streets as the Everton-mad youngster’s hearse draws past Goodison Park to Liverpool’s Anglican cathedral, where mourners have been asked to wear bright colours or football tops in Rhys’s memory.

In the boy’s death notice published today, his parents said: “Rhys, we lost you so suddenly, we keep asking ’why?’, you’ve gone up to heaven to play football in the sky.

“Our hearts are breaking, the pain we can’t describe, till we meet again, to stand side by side.

“Goodnight and God bless son – broken-hearted parents Stephen and Melanie.”

The couple signed off with 11 kisses – one for each year of their son’s life.

Rhys’s brother Owen, 17, left a message reading: “Rhys, you will never be forgotten, always in my heart – Nil Satis Nisi Optimum,” which is Everton FC’s motto, meaning “nothing but the best is good enough”.

The funeral will begin at 2pm and Rhys’s favourite tune – Everton’s Z Cars theme anthem – will be played, it is believed.

The public service will be followed by a private interment, attended only by family and close friends.