Card with heartbreaking message left after Ellis Cox shot dead

Ellis Cox's loved ones have left floral tributes to the teenager near to where he was shot on Sunday night.

The 19-year-old was found with fatal injuries on the Liver Industrial Estate at around 11.10pm on June 23. After originally being treated by North West Ambulance Service paramedics at the scene, he was taken to hospital where he died of his injuries.

Merseyside Police erected an extensive cordon around the industrial estate following the shooting, and set up a second cordon on Grace Road in Walton, which is connected to the industrial estate via the Liverpool Loop Line pathway. Since Sunday night, the force has been carrying out extensive CCTV and door-to-door enquiries in both areas to find out who committed the senseless murder.

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This evening, several bouquets of flowers were spotted tied to a blue railing on the Liver Industrial Estate near Taskers. A card was attached to the flowers with the words, 'there's a brand new star in heaven' written on it.

Yesterday, June 26, Merseyside Police held a press conference at the force's headquarters where investigating officers gave the first definitive information into their areas of enquiry.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Baker, who is head of the investigation, told the press conference that Ellis spoke with his mum just minutes before he died. He said: "The family are absolutely devastated, as you would expect, they need answers quickly and want justice. Ellis was only 19 years old. He was on his way home when he was shot. We know this because he called and said 'mum, I'm on my way home."

He added: "Ellis was close to his family. We know his mum and dad are absolutely devastated by his murder, as are other family and friends in the area."

DCS Baker said: "People know Ellis from school, he was very popular. Neighbours are telling us what a nice fella he was. Complete devastation is what we are picking up in the community. People will know Ellis, know the family, and come forward."

This description of the teenager supports what neighbours in the local area have told the ECHO in recent days. The teenager was described by one neighbour, who asked not to be named, as a "lovely lad, a really good kid". She later added: "He was dead polite and friendly - always said hello and smiled. And he was hardworking. You'd see him going out to work early every morning."

A second woman - a mum who knows Mr Cox's family personally - added: "I just couldn't believe when I heard. None of the family has ever been in trouble. They're not like that. Everybody round here is devastated by what happened. They're a lovely family with really well brought up kids."

Ellis was reportedly with his friends when he was shot. DCS Baker, who also led investigations into the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, said: "We know Ellis borrowed a bike to go to Southport. We believe that was his intention. We believe he got a train from Aintree train station, travelling towards Southport with friends.

"He then went to Ormskirk before riding home with the same group of friends, a group of four or five males, along an unnamed road near Taskers on the Liver estate near the Loop Line which would have taken him home. It's at that point he has been approached and shot."

Police are appealing for information from the friends who were with Ellis that night and might have information which could help the investigation. DCS Baker added: “It’s really important that Ellis’ friends who he was with come forward and assist us…they will be distressed and fearful and we will do everything we can to support them.”

Police said they are keeping an "open mind" on all lines of enquiry.

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