Family of teenage gun crime victim 'still struggling to come to terms with loss'
The family of a teenager murdered in a street in Wavertree say their still struggling to come to terms with his death - one what would have been his 19th birthday.
The family of a teenager murdered in a street in Wavertree say their still struggling to come to terms with his death - one what would have been his 19th birthday.
Kevin Wilson died from a single gun shot wound to the back after being attacked at the junction of Smithdown Road and Holmes Street in the evening of Saturday, 7th February, which was the date of the Merseyside derby.
Since the murder a total of 13 people have been arrested as part of the on-going investigation and positive lines of inquiry are currently being followed up.
Jane, Kevin’s mother: "It is now just over 15 months since I received the news Kevin that had been shot and killed in the street outside his home in Liverpool. When those responsible killed Kevin they took away my son.
"It has been the hardest year of my life, the pain never goes away and it just gets worse every day. It is even more devastating today, on what would have been Kevin’s 19th birthday. I feel completely heartbroken.
"I am still hoping that someone will come forward and give the police the information we need, so that those responsible for Kevin's death can be brought to justice. I would appeal directly to anyone who knows anything that could help police with their enquiries to get in touch. It is not too late."
Paul, Kevin’s father said: "In February last year Kevin, my son and Paul’s brother, was cruelly taken away from us.
"We are still waiting for justice to be done. Until you lose a child or a brother in such violent circumstances you can't understand the pain and suffering brought to our family.
"Today we should be celebrating Kevin’s 19th birthday, but the 27th May will now only ever serve to remind us of the feeling of emptiness the loss of Kevin has left in our lives.
"We would like those responsible for taking Kevin away from us face up to what they have done.
"As a family, we appeal to anyone with any information that could help us so please contact the police."
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Keaton, said: "It has now been more than a year since Kevin was murdered and I am taking this opportunity, on what would have been his 19th birthday, to appeal once again to the community for their help with the investigation.
"Kevin was shot near to the junction of Holmes Street and a Smithdown Road, a busy route to and from the city centre, and I would appeal to anyone who was around at the time, either on foot or in a car to cast their mind back to that night, and let us know if they saw anything at all unusual.
"That day Everton FC played Liverpool FC in the local derby and a lot of people would have been travelling to and from the city centre. Information that seems trivial to them may turn out to be crucial in our investigation.
"Someone out there knows who is responsible for this callous act, which has left a family completely devastated. It's not too late to search your conscience and come forward now. We remain convinced that the answers lie within the local community and we want the people with those answers to know that by coming forward, they could ease the pain the Kevin’s family have gone through for the past 15 months, and help bring the perpetrator to justice.
"We understand that people are sometimes reluctant to come forward after such a serious crime as this. Anyone with information can speak to us anonymously and in the strictest confidence if need be. Any new evidence or information will be closely investigated by officers.
"Your information could help us make significant progress in this investigation and help us find justice for Kevin’s friends and family."