Rhys suspect held in gun crime raid

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Police said the arrest is not part of the ongoing inquiry into the shooting of Rhys, 11, in Croxteth, Liverpool, last August.

The 17-year-old suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was held on suspicion of possession of a firearm following raids at three addresses in Croxteth on Monday.

The raids, by the Merseyside Police Matrix Unit, were part of a separate investigation into gun crime and the theft of wild bird eggs.

Five adults were also arrested and a number of eggs seized during the operation.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: "Detectives from the specialist Matrix team have executed warrants at addresses in Croxteth and arrested a 17-year-old youth in connection with firearms offences.

"The raids are part of the ongoing strategy to reduce gun crime on Merseyside and the youth, arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm, has been taken to a police station on Merseyside where he will be questioned by detectives.

"The arrest follows the execution of three warrants at addresses in Croxteth on Monday. Five people - three men and two women - were arrested on Monday night following the recovery of a firearm and rare birds eggs. They have all been taken to police stations on Merseyside where they are being interviewed by detectives."

Rhys, a fanatical Everton supporter, was killed as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, on August 22. He was crossing the car park outside the Fir Tree pub when a hooded youth rode up on a bicycle and fired three shots, one of which hit Rhys.

It is suspected that the gunman was aiming at other youths and detectives have stressed that Rhys had nothing to do with gangs and was an innocent victim. The 17-year-old, along with 12 others, remains on bail in connection with Rhys's murder.