THE HEARTBROKEN family of a teenager who was murdered while on a bike ride with friends have paid tribute following his tragic death.
Ellis Cox, 19, was “making the most of a sunny day” when he was shot on the Liver Industrial Estate in Aintree, Merseyside on Sunday 23 June.
Police were called to the estate just after 11.10pm following a report from North West Ambulance Service paramedics, who were treating the teenager.
When officers arrived, they discovered Ellis had been shot.
He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police said after the shooting that “extensive CCTV enquiries” were being carried out in the area and house-to-house inquiries were taking place.
Officers have now shared a heartbreaking tribute from Ellis’ family, who are urging anyone who knows anything at all about the incident to come forward, no matter how “insignificant”.
The family said: “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.”
Bar owner Craig Morris, who is helping to raise money for Ellis’ family, claimed that the teenager was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
He added: “No parent or family should be going through this.”
Police are still believed to be hunting for a suspect.
Head of the investigation Mark Baker had said after the incident that it was an “appalling and tragic incident in which a young man has lost his life”.
He added: “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.”
