Ellis Cox's family issue emotional plea to the public

The family of murdered teenager Ellis Cox have today issued an emotional plea to the public for help in catching his killer.

Ellis, 19, was fatally shot on the Liver Industrial Estate in Aintree on the evening of Sunday, June 23. After being treated by paramedics at the scene he was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Now, in an emotional tribute, Ellis's family have issued a plea for anyone with information to "come forward".

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The tribute reads: “Ellis was making the most of a sunny day going on a bike ride with his friends. Ellis loved the outdoors and spent lots of time with his family fishing, quad biking and camping, and it was rare he went anywhere without a family member.

“He was the best son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, grandson and friend you could ever hope for and was fiercely loyal to us all. He was loved and adored by everyone who was lucky enough to meet him and spend time with him and our lives were so much richer for having him in it.

“Our world is shattered and irreparable: it will never be the same again. We pray that anyone with even the smallest piece of information will come forward. Please don’t feel anything is insignificant and let the police be the judge of that. We need to find who is responsible so please share any information you have with the police.”

Merseyside Police are continuing to appeal for information in connection with Ellis's murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Ellis’s family, and they are being supported by our specially trained family liaison officers.

“The investigation into his murder is making progress, however we continue to appeal for information, no matter how small, which could be vital to our enquiries. I would urge anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area, or who heard anything, to come forward so we can bring his those involved in his murder to justice.

“There would have been cyclists in the area at that time, including food delivery staff, who use the loop line, and I would urge those who saw something that will help with our enquiries to please come forward.

“I would appeal to residents nearby and motorists who were in the vicinity at that time to please check your CCTV, doorbell or dashcam for any footage which may have captured activity that may be vital to the investigation.”

Detective Chief Inspector McGrath added: “Merseyside Police immediately responds to incidents involving guns and is actively working to make Merseyside a safer place to live and work. Every day our officers are carrying out warrants, open land searches and stop and searches to remove guns and other weapons from our streets.

“Communities need to take a stand and help us to make the streets safer. Information from the public is vital if we are to breakdown the organised crime groups who bring misery to our streets.

“Gun violence has taken too many young lives here in Merseyside. In the last 12 months saw the lowest number of firearms discharges in more than two decades, however we are relentless in our pursuit to take weapons off the streets and those involved in gun crime behind bars.”

Police have set up a dedicated web page to submit information or footage which can help in the investigation of Ellis’s murder: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/05MP23M53-PO1

You can also contact them via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 24000554719.

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