Police are following up a series of new leads in the hunt for the killer of Rhys Jones as his parents endure his birthday without him.
Officers hailed a "fantastic" public response to CCTV footage on BBC Crimewatch on Wednesday night which led to 12 callers identifying the same person.
Detectives were also told where the gun used in the shooting of the 11-year-old might be found and located an important potential witness.
Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly from Merseyside Police said they had found the driver of a red car which the alleged killer passed in front of near the time of the attack.
He said: "We have had 12 people ring in providing the same name. It's all pointing in the same direction. It's important people get in touch about why they have provided that name.
"We have also had some important information about where the weapon may have been stored."
The calls came in response to an emotional appeal from Rhys parents.
Speaking on the eve of her son's 12th birthday, Rhys mother Melanie said the family needed to see the killer brought to justice before they could move on.
Sitting with her husband Steve, Mrs Jones, 41, appealed for the killer's mother to hand him in.
She said: "She must know it is him, or she must have some suspicion. Even for his own safety, she should hand him in. We can't rest or try to move on without this person being brought to justice or being caught."
