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'Do the right thing' beg family of shooting victim

Family handout Ellis Cox riding a personal watercraftFamily handout
Ellis Cox, 19, loved the outdoors, his family said

The family of a man who was shot dead in an industrial estate on Merseyside seven weeks ago are begging people to "do the right thing and speak up".

Police launched a murder probe after Ellis Cox, 19, was found critically injured on the Liver Industrial Estate in Aintree on 23 June and died a short time later in hospital.

Merseyside Police believe Mr Cox was shot with a self-loading pistol as he made his way home through the estate after a day out in Southport with friends.

Mr Cox's family have appealed to the relatives of anyone involved in his death to come forward.

Family Handout A family photo of Ellis as a child laughingFamily Handout
Ellis's family said their sadness and anger grows with each day that passes

"No normal person could live with themselves but it seems they are not normal but are their families, their mum, dad, siblings?," they said.

"We have to pray that they are and that with each hour that passes they realise they cannot stay silent and come forward.

"We know our children. We know when there is a change in them.

"We need your help. We beg you to do the right thing and speak up."

Police have also asked friends who were with him when he was killed to come forward.

Detectives said he had borrowed a bike from a family member at about 17:00 BST on the day he died and made his way to Aintree station where he met the friends.

They believe the group then travelled towards Southport and Mr Cox spent time in Ormskirk before cycling back home with the same group.

Family handout A family photo of Ellis as a Toddler dressed in a Pumpkin costumeFamily handout
Ellis Cox's family shared photos of him as a small boy as they begged for information about his death

Ellis's family said their sadness and anger "grows with each day that passes, knowing that whoever took him from us is just simply getting on with their lives".

"Whoever took him from us is still chatting with their families, enjoying a pint in the pub maybe and enjoying the sunshine.

"Ellis won't get to feel the sun on his face or enjoy a pint with his family or watch his cousins and nieces grow."

The family added: "If you have seen or heard anything in the last seven weeks no matter how significant you might think it is please let the police be the judge of that."

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