Teen jailed for life after shooting 15-year-old schoolgirl at bus stop

10.01.2023 - 22:35 / dailyrecord.co.uk

A teenager has been jailed for life after shooting a 15-year-old schoolgirl at a bus stop. The teenage girl was shot in the neck as Rio Jones, 19, fired six shots at a rival he was chasing, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the gunman had used the weapon as he pursued a man through the streets of Merseyside on an electric bike. The innocent schoolgirl was unfortunately caught in the crossfire of the attack.

Last year, the 19-year-old was found guilty by a jury following a trial of attempting to murder the target, Shakur Watson, and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. Jones returned to court today to face sentencing for his crimes, having also admitted possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The defendant appeared in court via video link to HMP Manchester and showed no emotion as he was sentence to life with a minimum term of 16-and-a-half years. Family members could be heard gasping in the public gallery as he was told of his punishment.

Upon the sentencing, one woman began sobbing uncontrollably and had to be led out of the courtroom by two men. Sentencing Jones for a "planned attack", the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: "You claimed to have used the gun only to frighten and not to harm.

"That claim was plainly nonsense and was rejected by the jury. It is clear that you became aware of Shakur Watson, who was also riding an electric bike on Upper Warwick Street.

"There then followed a chase, with you quickly gaining on Shakur Watson. As you drew almost level with Mr Watson, and still travelling at some speed, you pulled a gun from your pocket and fired six shots in quick succession directly at Mr Watson.

"One of the bullets hit Mr Watson in the