The teenager was minutes from home when he was shot in the back
Police at the Liver Industrial Estate in Aintree, where Ellis Cox was shot dead(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a teenager was shot dead just minutes from his home. Ellis Cox, 19, was killed close to the Liverpool Loop Line – known locally as the Ralla – near Taskers on the Liver Industrial estate last year.
Merseyside Police said today, Tuesday, September 16, a 22-year-old man from Thornton has been arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of a firearm. He has been taken into police custody and will be questioned by detectives.
Detectives have now made six arrests in connection with the murder of Ellis after a 32-year-old man from Croxteth was arrested five days ago. The other arrested males remain on conditional bail pending further inquiries.
The teenager was cycling with four friends when they were approached by “one to three males on two electric bikes” at around 10.50pm on June 23 2024.
One of the group on the electric bikes opened fire and pumped three shots towards Ellis and his friends. Ellis, on a pedal bike, had attempted to leave the scene but was shot in the back.
Ellis Cox (Image: Merseyside Police )
Speaking to the ECHO previously, Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath said the shooting of Ellis came against the backdrop of a number of incidents of violence in the Walton and Aintree area in the 12 to 18 months before his murder.
The ECHO revealed earlier this year that the gun used to murder Ellis – a self-loading pistol – was also used in a separate shooting at a flat on Willowdale Road in Walton.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath said: “Our investigation continues at pace and we are determined to get justice for Ellis’ family.
“Although we have made another arrest in connection with this incident, I want to urge anyone with information to come forward.
“We’re continuing to appeal for any information from anyone who is yet to come forward, the smallest detail of which could be vital to our inquiries.”
Ellis Cox’s auntie Julie O’Toole and mum Carolyn Cox at the loop line in Walton(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Visit 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 Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 24000554719.
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