Family of murdered teenager to visit 10,000 doors

Ellis Cox, 19, was five minutes from home when he was shot

The family of a teenager who was shot dead said they planned to post leaflets through 10,000 doors to seek crucial information.

Ellis Cox, 19, was found with gunshot wounds at about 22:10 BST on 23 June in the Liver Industrial Estate, Aintree, after a day out with friends in Southport.

Mr Cox's mother, Carolyn Cox, previously said he had called her moments before he was shot, saying he was five minutes from home and asking her to "warm his tea".

Now his family said they were taking the appeal for information directly to the doors of people in the city.

Ellis Cox's family have been posting pictures and banners around the city

Merseyside Police said four arrests had been made and enquiries were ongoing, but as yet no-one had been charged in connection with his death.

In a statement, Mr Cox's family said their grief was "all consuming" and they had been "thrown into a world they never knew existed".

"He was smart, funny and so kind", they said. "He had such a good heart and a beautiful soul and anyone that met him loved him and wanted to be his friend and be in his company, and he would make time for everyone.

"I don’t know how we will carry on without him, but I do know we will not rest until those responsible for taking him from us are caught."

Four arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Ellis Cox, but no-one has yet been charged

In a message directly to his killer, they said: "We didn’t get to hold his hand, talk to him and tell him how much we loved him because you took that away from us.

"You chose to carry a gun. You chose to pull that trigger. Why?"

The family urged anyone who may be "protecting" someone or who may have heard crucial information to "please help us and speak up".

"Our grief is all consuming, but the love we have for Ellis means all our strength is focused on finding who took him from us in such a mindless, brutal and cowardly way", they said.

"This for me has shown this city in a light I never knew possible.

"We are good, honest, hardworking people thrown into a world we never knew existed [with] a ‘No grass culture’ theme running through it protecting people who carry weapons."

The family said the leaflets they intended to post would include the information needed to contact Merseyside Police - anonymously if necessary.

"Time is all we have, and we know justice will be served so ask, no tell yourself that silence is not an option", they said.

Friends who were with Ellis when he was killed have been urged by detectives to find the "courage" to come forward and help the investigation.

Merseyside Police said it had created a dedicated web page to submit information or footage which could assist the investigation into Mr Cox's death.