Rhys parents appeal to killer's family
Rhys Jones was shot dead in a car park in Liverpool on Wednesday
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Monday, 27, Aug 2007 08:24
The parents of murdered Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones have issued a direct appeal to the family of the youth suspected of killing their son.
Stephen and Melanie Jones urged people in the area to contact police if they suspected a young relative was involved in the 11-year-old's murder.
"If [the suspect's] parents have any thought what our pain or what we've lost they'd turn in their son," Mrs Jones said in an emotional appeal.
"They must suspect who it is. They should turn them in; because someone needs to get a grip, someone needs to do something."
Merseyside police have admitted they are disappointed with the public's response to an appeal for information on Rhys' killer, described as a white boy aged between 13 to 15 and about 5ft 8in tall with a slim build, who was wearing a dark hoodie, white trainers and riding a black BMX bike at the time of the attack.
Rhys was killed last Wednesday outside the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth after playing a game of football with his friends.
Earlier, six suspects in the investigation into his killing were released, leaving no one in custody.
A spokesman for Merseyside police confirmed that four people had been freed without charge while two others had been bailed pending further inquiries.
Those released without charge include two girls, aged 15 and 18, and two boys, aged 15 and 19 while two teenagers, aged 16 and 19, have been released on bail, the spokesman added.
All ten people arrested over Rhys' killing have now been released after four teenagers were bailed earlier in the case.
Prayers were said by the area's religious community yesterday for the murdered 11-year-old., while today the entire first-team squad of Rhys' beloved Everton team visited the scene where he was killed.
Captain Phil Neville laid a wreath while Rhys' favourite players Andrew Johnson, Mikel Arteta and Joseph Yobo placed their match shirts among the floral tributes.
"We are here today to pay our respects and appeal to anyone to come out and give information about the person who did this terrible thing," the Everton captain said.
"Rhys was an 11-year-old lad and massive Evertonian. We just hope this thing never happens again."
All the players then observed a moment's silence before leaving to the club's training ground on the team bus.
Police earlier issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to the death, having admitted that they were "disappointed" at the number of calls received so far.
Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan said: "The community has been left extremely shocked by the horror of Rhys' death and I'm sure people will not fail to be touched by the dignity and bravery his parents have shown. This is a loving family who has brought up their children to respect others. It is difficult to imagine the turmoil they are going through now.
"We are absolutely resolute in our aim to bring the killer to justice and to do that as soon as possible. To that end, our appeal is twofold. First, to the gunman: Don't wait for us to find you. Do the right thing and turn yourself in so you can begin to come to terms with the enormity of what you have done.
"Secondly, to the public. I would thank those people who have helped us so far. If you haven't yet come forward, do so now.
"We are appealing to every part of the community, young and old, to help us solve this senseless crime. We believe that the offender is a teenager and it may be that there are young people who have vital information, which may help us. Some of them may feel more comfortable with texting or emailing and we would encourage people to use whatever means they have to tell us what they know."