Ellis Cox, 19, shot dead on industrial estate as family release picture

A teenager was shot dead as he was named and pictured by his family. Police said 19-year-old Ellis Cox was shot on an industrial estate close to homes in Liverpool.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at Liver Industrial Estate on Sunday night, June 23. Merseyside Police officers were called by paramedics who were treating a 19-year-old man, reports LiverpoolEcho.

Officers discovered the man had been shot upon arrival and he was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. A police cordon remained in place today, June 24, as officers carried out forensic examinations.

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Ellis' next of kin were informed with specialist family liaison officers supporting them. The death was initially reported as 'unexplained' by Merseyside Police but this afternoon the force confirmed it had launched a murder investigation.

House-to-house enquiries were taking place alongside extensive CCTV enquiries. High visibility patrols were stepped up in the area to provide reassurance and officers were available to speak to anyone with concerns, police said.

Head of the investigation Mark Baker said: "This was an appalling and tragic incident in which a young man has lost his life, and our thoughts first and foremost are with his family, who are trying to come to terms with his loss. I would appeal to anyone who may have seen him to come forward as their information could be vital.

"Whilst this happened on an industrial estate, there are residential homes nearby and I would urge anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area, or who heard anything, to come forward so we can give his family answers and bring his killer or killers to justice. I would appeal to any motorists who may have captured footage on their dashcam to come forward even if it appears to be innocuous.

"It could prove vital to our efforts to deliver justice for this young man and his family. It is essential that people with information, no matter how small, to please contact us as it might be vital to the investigation.

"Gun violence has taken too many young lives here in Merseyside. While the last 12 months saw the lowest number of firearms discharges in more than two decades, our efforts to take weapons off the streets and put those thoughtless enough to use them in jail will never stop.

"Every day our officers are carrying out warrants, open land searches and stop and searches to remove guns and other weapons from our streets. We target all available resources in the right areas to remove weapons and those who use them and work daily alongside our partners and in communities affected by gun crime.

"Incidents such as this are a tragic reminder of why we must continue with that work – gun crime can tear families apart and ruin many more lives than the victim alone. If you have any information at all on this incident, please call 101, DM @MerPolCC or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 1121 of 23 June. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress."