Teenage gunman jailed for life for shooting innocent girl in the neck in Liverpool

10 January 2023, 15:54 | Updated: 10 January 2023, 16:06

Rio Jones, 19, was trying to kill a rival gang member when he shot a girl in the neck
Rio Jones, 19, was trying to kill a rival gang member when he shot a girl in the neck. Picture: Merseyside Police/LBC

By Chris Chambers

A teenage gunman has been jailed for life for shooting an innocent 15-year-old girl in the neck as she waited at a bus stop in Liverpool.

Rio Jones, 19, was trying to kill a rival gang member while chasing him on an e-bike, but the hail of bullets penetrated a bus shelter on Upper Warwick Street in Toxteth and and hit the girl in the neck as she sat waiting to go home from school.

The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary QC, said the incident was a "planned and determined effort to kill a rival" and that there "must be a deterrent element to the sentence".

The intended target of the shooting, a 20-year-old man, was also injured during the incident and received treatment for a gunshot wound to the hand.

Statement made after gunman Rio Jones is jailed in Liverpool

Read more: Missing mum Constance Marten belongs to wealthy aristocratic family with ties to Royal Family

Read more: Russian warship armed with hypersonic cruise weapons holds exercise in Norwegian Sea

Jones, of Jermyn Street in Toxteth, was told he would serve a minimum of 16 and a half years behind bars for the shooting.

Following sentencing, Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson told LBC News: "This was a truly shocking and reckless incident in which an innocent child was caught up in a gang dispute and it is only by sheer good fortune that this did not turn into a murder investigation.

"We sadly know the devastating consequences of gun crime, not only on victims and their families but also the wider communities.

"Sadly Jones's victim continues to suffer, both physically and mentally, as a result of the injury she suffered that day. I hope that the sentence will bring some comfort to her and her family and help her in some way with her long process of recovery."

This shooting took place on March 1st and is another example of the reckless behaviour of innocent people being caught up in gun crime on Merseyside.

In August, nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot dead in her home in Knotty Ash, 28-year-old Ashley Dale was shot dead in her home in Old Swan in a case of mistaken identity, and on Christmas Eve, Elle Edwards, 26, was shot in the head as she left the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey.

DS Wilson added: "I want this to serve as a warning to other people that carrying and using guns on the streets of Merseyside will never be acceptable. If you choose to carry a weapon we will do everything within our powers to find you and put you behind bars."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The US will 'move on' from peace talks if a deal can't be agreed

US warns it will 'move on' from Ukraine peace talks if progress isn't made in coming days as minerals deal edges closer

Energy bills could rise once again.

Brits could face £100 more in household bills if UK signs up to EU Net Zero scheme, Tories claim

woman in military uniform holding happy daughter at home

Military families set for housing boost as Defence Sec pledges to ‘stop the rot’

Actor Haley Joel Osment attends the 2025 PaleyFest LA - "Poker Face" event at the Dolby Theatre on March 29, 2025 in Hollywood, California.

Oscar-nominated ‘Sixth Sense’ actor Haley Joel Osment charged with public intoxication and cocaine possession

Commuters walk along a packed platform after a single train arrived during the morning rush hour, at Waterloo Station in London on April 8, 2024.

Millions set to face heavy disruption in Easter travel plans due to engineering works, strikes, traffic and flooding

Luigi Mangione, the suspect indicted in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson arriving at the South Street Helipad in New York City on December 19, 2024.

Luigi Mangione indicted on federal murder charge over CEO killing as US pushes for death penalty

Firefighters are battling a major blaze at a historic First World War airfield - as residents were warned to stay indoors due to fears over asbestos in the smoke.

Firefighters battle huge blaze at historic WWI airfield as residents warned of asbestos in smoke

Far fewer women today would prefer to switch gender than they once did, according to a study.

Fewer women would prefer to switch gender than they once did, study shows

More than four in five (81%) teachers feel the number of pupils exhibiting violent and abusive behaviours has increased, according to a poll by the NASUWT teaching union.

Teachers are being punched, kicked, shoved or spat at by pupils

Harry Maguire secured one of the most jaw-dropping European wins.

Harry Maguire seals Europa League semi-final spot for Manchester United after thrilling comeback

David Lammy has said Russia must agree to an “immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire” after meeting counterparts from the US and Europe.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy says Russia must accept ‘unconditional ceasefire’ after US-Europe talks

One batch of the medicine Lercanidipine, made by Recordati Pharmaceuticals, is labelled as containing 10mg tablets when it in fact contains 20mg.

Patients on common blood pressure drug urged to check pack amid labelling error

"It is a weekend where I want to perform, I want to do well," Norris said.

Lando Norris planning to try new things to get ‘comfortable’ with his McLaren

Beatles fan mail to be showcased in new exhibit featuring dozens of letters sent to Ringo Starr's home

Beatles fan mail to be showcased in new exhibit featuring dozens of letters sent to Ringo Starr's home

The Prison Service will investigate whether frontline staff should be given protective body armour.

Prisons service reviews protective gear for guards after Manchester bomb plotter attack

A woman who helped her husband die has said she has "no regrets" despite facing a police investigation.

Woman who took her husband to Switzerland for an assisted suicide says she has 'no regrets'