The 19-year-old from Maghull remains in custody and will be questioned by detectives
Liverpool John Lennon Airport(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A teenager has been arrested in connection with the murder of Ellis Cox after arriving back at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on a flight from Spain. The 19-year-old from Maghull was detained by officers on Thursday morning having arrived back in the city.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody where he will be questioned by detectives. A spokesperson for the police said this brings the total number of arrests to seven. The six people previously arrested remain on conditional bail pending further inquiries.
Ellis was 19 when he was fatally shot on June 23, 2024 at the Liver Industrial Estate. Merseyside Police said its investigation is ongoing to find the person or people responsible.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, who has led the investigation, said: “I hope this latest arrest shows how our investigation team remain as determined as ever to get justice for Ellis’ family and time is no barrier to our relentless pursuit of all those involved in his murder.
“Although we have now made another arrest in connection with this incident, I want to urge anyone with information to come forward. It has been nearly two years since Ellis was shot at the Liver Industrial Estate and his family have been forced to live without anyone facing justice.
“If you have any information whatsoever, please search your conscience and come forward. The smallest detail could be vital to our inquiries.”
Ellis was riding on 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.
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 helping his killers evade justice.
Ellis was described as “the best son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, grandson and friend you could ever hope for”. His family said he was “fiercely loyal to us all” and added he “loved the outdoors” and “spent lots of time with his family, fishing, quad biking and camping”.
Speaking on what would have been his 21st birthday in January, his family said: “Our beautiful Ellis. He was full of life. He was grateful for everything and everyone and had such big dreams. He wanted to travel, see the world and experience all life had to offer. He loved people and people loved him.
“His humour, his beautiful heart and his swagger meant everyone wanted to be his friend and he welcomed everyone in. On Sunday 18 January 2026 we should be celebrating his 21st birthday with him and spoiling him but instead we are once more making an appeal for information and begging those who know anything about that night to speak up and do the right thing help us get justice for Ellis.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “You can also contact us via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 quoting reference 24000554719. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.”
