Tenth Arrest Made in Ellis Cox Murder Investigation
A tenth person has been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Ellis Cox, a 19-year-old who was fatally shot on June 23, 2024, at the Liver Industrial Estate in Liverpool. The arrest was made on Thursday, July 9, 2026, according to Merseyside Police.
The suspect, a 25-year-old man from Liverpool, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He is currently in police custody and will be questioned by detectives. The nine previously arrested individuals remain on bail.
Details of the Shooting
Ellis and his friends had been out for the day and were returning home when they were approached by a number of people on electric bikes near Taskers on the Liver Industrial Estate at around 10:50 pm. Ellis attempted to leave the area but was fatally shot in the back. The shooting occurred against the backdrop of a street-level drug dealing conflict between rival factions in north Liverpool.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, leading the investigation, stated that Ellis had nothing to do with crime, but his associates, who were with him that night, were part of one gang targeted by another.
Gun Used in Prior Incidents
The Liverpool ECHO revealed that the self-loading pistol used to murder Ellis had been used in two separate incidents before the shooting. Shots were fired at a car in Garston, damaging the window, and just three months before Ellis's murder, a flat on Willowdale Road in Walton was peppered with bullets from the same gun. The gun has not been used since Ellis's death and has not been recovered by police.
Ongoing Investigation and Reward
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath said: “I hope this latest arrest illustrates how we remain as determined as ever to find the people responsible for the murder of Ellis Cox. Even though more than two years have now passed since he was killed, we are still fully committed to getting justice for Ellis’ family.”
Crimestoppers is offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, extended until Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Ellis’s family has also fundraised an additional £20,000, bringing the total reward to £40,000.
Anyone with information can submit it via a dedicated web page, contact Merseyside Police on social media @MerPolCC, call 101 quoting reference 2400055471, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
