Toxteth shooting: Teenager named and charged with attempted murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl

A teenager has been charged with the attempted murder of a 15-year-old girl in Toxteth who was shot as she waited to catch a bus on her way home from school.

Merseyside police detectives say it is a “miracle” the schoolgirl survived after suffering “devastating” injuries in the shooting on Upper Warwick Street, at around 5.10pm on Tuesday.

The girl, who was shot in the upper body, remains in a stable but serious condition in hospital.

On Saturday, police said they had charged Rio Jones, 18, of Jermyn Street, Toxteth with two counts of attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of a controlled drug.

Jones was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens adult remand court on Saturday.

What’s been said

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Cameen, described the attack on the schoolgirl as “callous and cowardly”.

He said: “It is an absolute miracle, and credit to the NHS, that this young woman has survived.”

DCS Cameen added: “The actions of those people responsible for this attack ... are utterly appalling and shocking, even with 29 years’ service.

“It shows a total disregard and contempt that they have for the decent, honest, law-abiding people who live, work in and visit this city.”

He said the shooting took place on a major road, currently with roadworks, and there would have been stationary traffic at the time of the rush-hour attack.