Four teenagers being questioned in connection with the murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones have been released without charge and two others released on police bail, police said today.

One boy aged 15 and a man aged 19, as well as a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman were released this morning without charge. Merseyside Police said a 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man had been released on bail pending further inquiries.

No one remains in police custody in connection with the death of the 11-year-old in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, last Wednesday.

Detectives believe that Rhys, 11, was accidentally hit by a stray bullet as he walked through a pub car park on the private Croxteth Park housing estate.

The intended victim is believed to have been a senior member of the Strand gang — known as the Nogga Dogs — who had started a relationship with a girl from Croxteth Park. The gun boy was allegedly ordered to carry out the attack by an older member of the Croxteth Crew gang. The Croxteth Crew is based on a nearby social-housing estate.

Police, who complained of a disappointing initial public response to the shooting, made a potentially vital breakthrough yesterday when they traced a woman who might have seen the killer minutes before he opened fire.

On Saturday, Detective Superintendent David Kelly - leading the investigation - appealed for a woman pushing a pram outside Croxteth Park’s Fir Tree pub to come forward. Yesterday, a Merseyside Police spokesman confirmed the woman had contacted detectives and was helping with the investigation.

Rhys died in the arms of his mother Melanie, 41, after being ambushed by the a hooded youth on a BMX bike. The Everton FC fan was shot through the neck by a bullet that has not yet been recovered.

Players from Everton Football Club paid tribute to Rhys today as they visited the scene of the 11-year-old’s murder.

The squad, led by their captain, Phil Neville, stood with their heads bowed and in silence at the makeshift shrine outside the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth, Liverpool. England striker Andy Johnson, with international stars James McFadden, Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta, laid a signed number 8 shirt and a pair of boots. A wreath in the shape of a blue and white football bore the message: “With deepest sympathy to the family of Rhys from all at Everton Football Club.”

Praising the courage and strength of the Jones family, Neville said: “They have been very strong. It would have been one of the hardest days of their lives. We all have families and love our children. All our love is with the Jones family at the moment.”

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