Chilling moment gun-wielding thug fires shots from bike before hitting innocent schoolgirl, 15, in the neck
THIS is the moment a balaclava clad thug on an electric bike was about to open fire on a gangland rival in the street, accidentally shooting a 15-year-old schoolgirl in the neck.
The dramatic video footage shows Rio Jones pursuing his victim, also on an e-bike, down a busy street. The film, released by police, cuts off at the moment Jones was about to open fire.
When Jones drew level with his target he fired six shots, one of which hit an innocent girl in the neck. The 15-year-old, who was stood at a bus stop on Upper Warwick Street in Toxteth, was rushed to hospital.
She suffered appalling injuries, including lung damage and three fractured vertebrae.
The girl, who was on her way home from school at the time of the shooting, later recovered. The man Jones tried to kill during the ‘planned attack’ was shot in the hand during the street attack on March 1 last year.
During a hearing on Tuesday at Liverpool Crown Court Jones, now 19, was jailed for life, and told he would serve a minimum of 16 years and six months in prison.
He was also further sentenced to nine years to run concurrently for the wounding and 12 years for the firearms offence also to run concurrently.
Jones was found guilty after a trial of attempted murder, s18 wounding and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
In passing sentence His Honour Judge Andrew Menary KC said the incident was evidence of gang related violence and that the shooting was a “planned and determined effort to kill a rival” and that there “must be a deterrent element to his sentence.”
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson from Merseyside police said: “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.
“My officers worked tirelessly on this investigation to bring the person responsible to justice. Thanks to their hard work and diligence we were able to move quickly to arrest and charge Jones within a matter of days of the incident happening.
“Today he is behind bars, where he will spend a considerable amount of time, reflecting on the consequences of his brazen actions.
“Sadly Jones’ 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.
“I also 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.”
Anyone who has any information about the use and storage of weapons is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestopperUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.