Police have released CCTV footage of three masked men seen entering a park around 90 minutes before a 19-year-old man was fatally shot nearby. The footage, released on Monday, October 12, is part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Ellis Cox.
Details of the shooting
Ellis Cox, 19, was murdered on June 23, 2024, on the Liver Industrial Estate in Aintree. He was riding his bike with four other people when they were approached by "one to three men on two electric bikes" at around 10.50pm. One of the group on the electric bikes opened fire, sending three shots towards Ellis and the people he was with.
Ellis, who was fleeing on a pedal bike, was shot in the back minutes away from his home, which was at the other end of the Liverpool Loop Line, known locally as the Ralla.
Investigation and arrests
Ten people have been arrested as part of the investigation into Ellis's murder but no-one has been charged. Ellis had no links to crime, but police have said his associates have links to "street level drug dealing in the local area". His family believe people who have key information about his death have stayed silent and therefore helped his killers evade justice.
A reward of £100,000 is currently on offer for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder. It is made up of £20,000 from Crimestoppers and Ellis's family have raised an additional £80,000.
CCTV footage released
The footage was captured at 9.24pm on Sunday June 23 2024, which was around an hour and a half before Ellis was shot. It shows a male on a bike and two males on a second bike as they turn into Walton Hall Park from Walton Hall Avenue. It takes around five minutes to get to the Ralla from the park on a bike.
Police hope that, although they are wearing balaclavas, the footage could jog someone's memory who saw them on this date or potentially knows who they are and could come forward with information.
Police appeal
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: "We are releasing this footage as part of our ongoing investigation into the murder of Ellis Cox. We are just as determined as we were two years ago to find the people responsible.
"I appreciate no one is going to recognise the faces of the three males by watching the CCTV, but we hope that it could jog someone's memory who knows the males by their clothing or use of the bikes in the location from around that time.
"We believe the males in this video could have information to assist our inquiries. They were seen to ride into Walton Hall Park around an hour and a half before Ellis was shot at the Liver Industrial Estate.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who holds any information whatsoever to get in touch. It's not too late. We are certain that someone out there knows who is responsible and could end the family's agonising wait for answers.
"If anyone out there is keeping information to themselves, I ask you to consider what Ellis's family are going through. If you haven't already, it is now time to come forward with that information."
Information can be submitted via a dedicated web page, or by contacting the police on social media using X or Facebook @MerPolCC, via the police's website, or by calling 101 quoting reference number 24000554719. In an emergency, always call 999.
Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website.
