Police in fresh plea over Billy Cox killing

Poilce today issued an appeal for information as they try to establish why 15-year-old Billy Cox was shot dead at close range in his bedroom six days ago.

Detectives can find no clear motive and are playing down reports that he was a member of a notorious gang or that he was a major drug dealer.

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He had a conviction for burglary but police say there is little in his background to suggest the level of criminality that could lead to a gangland- style execution.

One source close to the inquiry said: "At the moment the motive for this is missing. We cannot see why anyone would do this to a 15-year-old. Kids get convictions for burglary and theft, but they don't then get shot like this."

Today Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Ball said: "We are asking anyone who knew Billy who has not yet spoken to police to contact us."

She said police also wanted to hear from anyone who was in the area of Billy's home in Fenwick Place, Clapham, at the time of the murder last Wednesday at about 3.30pm.

Ms Ball added: "We cannot be sure how many suspects there were nor how they arrived at Billy's house. We also need to know if anybody saw anyone leaving the house."

Neighbours had claimed Billy was murdered by rival crack cocaine dealers and others said he was killed because he was a member of the Clap Town Kids gang.

However, police say the picture they have of Billy is of a troubled teenager but not someone engaged in serious crime. He lived with his parents Tom and Kim and his 13-year-old sister Elizabeth, a talented ballet dancer.

He was the third teenage boy to be shot dead in south London in 11 days.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8247 4553 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.