A heartbroken family have paid tribute to a 'fiercely loyal' teenager who was gunned down whilst on a bike ride with friends, saying their world is 'shattered'. 

Ellis Cox, 19, was fatally shot in the Aintree area of Liverpool in what police described as an 'appalling and tragic incident' last month.

The teenager was discovered at the Liver Industrial Estate - close to Taskers - just after 11.10pm on Sunday, June 23.

The young man was then rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

His devastated family have released a touching tribute to the beloved son, brother, and friend, who was 'making the most of a sunny day' on a bike ride when he was gunned down.

Ellis Cox, 19, was fatally shot in the Aintree area of Liverpool on June 23 whilst he made the most of the sunshine on a bike ride with his friends

'Ellis loved the outdoors and spent lots of time with his family fishing, quad biking and camping, and it was rare he went anywhere without a family member,' they said.

'He was the best son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, grandson and friend you could ever hope for and was fiercely loyal to us all.

'He was loved and adored by everyone who was lucky enough to meet him and spend time with him and our lives were so much richer for having him in it.'

'Our world is shattered and irreparable: it will never be the same again.'

The family urged anyone with information to come forward to the police, adding: 'We pray that anyone with even the smallest piece of information will come forward.

'Please don't feel anything is insignificant and let the police be the judge of that. 

'We need to find who is responsible so please share any information you have with the police.'

Merseyside Police launched a murder probe lead by Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Baker - who oversaw the investigation into the shooting of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

The nine-year-old was shot dead in her own home in Liverpool in August 2022 - a senseless killing which shook the nation. 

Her killer, Thomas Cashman, was sentenced to a minimum for 42-years behind bars for her murder.

It is believed on the fateful day of June 23, Ellis had borrowed a bicycle from a relative and went to meet his friends at Aintree station at 5pm.

According to police, the group of friends ventured towards Southport and Ellis passed some time in Ormskirk before they all headed home.

Whilst on his homeward-bound journey, the 19-year-old notified his mother via a phone call.

However the teenager was later found wounded on on the industrial estate. The murder weapon has not yet been discovered.

Head of the investigation Mark Baker said the shooting was an 'appalling and tragic incident in which a young man has lost his life'.

He added: 'I would appeal to anyone who may have seen him to come forward as their information could be vital.

'Whilst this happened on an industrial estate, there are residential homes nearby.

'I would urge anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area, or who heard anything, to come forward so we can give his family answers and bring his killer or killers to justice.

'I would appeal to any motorists who may have captured footage on their dashcam to come forward even if it appears to be innocuous.

'It could prove vital to our efforts to deliver justice for this young man and his family. Gun violence has taken too many young lives here in Merseyside.'

The Det Ch Supt that Merseyside had seen the lowest number of firearms discharges in more than two decades over the last year.

He added: '[But] our efforts to take weapons off the streets and put those thoughtless enough to use them in jail will never stop.

'Incidents such as this are a tragic reminder of why we must continue with that work - gun crime can tear families apart and ruin many more lives than the victim alone.'

Police are urging anyone with any information to call 101, or to anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 24000554719.