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Belfast police officer injured in 'terrorist shooting' Belfast police officer injured in 'terrorist shooting'
(35 minutes later)
A police officer in Northern Ireland has reportedly been injured in a terrorist shooting, the Police Federation said. A police officer has been shot and wounded in the arm during what was believed to be a murder attempt by dissident republicans in Belfast on Sunday night.
The suspected attack happened in Belfast near a petrol station. The officer was hit around 7.30pm after gunmen opened fire from a passing car at a Police Service of Northern Ireland patrol in the forecourt of a petrol station on the Crumlin Road in the north of the city. The shooting occurred close to the spot where the New IRA tried to kill PSNI officers last year with a homemade rocket.
A Federation statement said: “There are reports that one of our officers has been injured in a terrorist shooting in Belfast. Thoughts are with him and his family.” Local reports said the car used in the drive-by shooting was seen being driven into the nearby Ardoyne district.
Outgoing justice minister for Northern Ireland, Claire Sugden, condemned the attack as sickening. Both the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin also condemned those behind the attack.
The PSNI tweeted:
Crumlin Rd N Belfast closed as police investigate shooting incident. Officer shot and wounded at petrol station around 7.30pm. Info to 101.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland, which represents rank and file officers, said it was a terrorist shooting and added that its thoughts were with the officer and his family. Its chairman, Mark Lindsay, said: “This is an appalling act, and I wish to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.
“This attack on the life of an officer is a stark reminder of the determination on the part of terrorists to murder and maim police officers.
“They believe that by causing great grief to a family they are somehow advancing their warped and outdated plan.” He said the attack underlined the fragility of the peace. “It’s one reason why the threat level here remains classed ‘severe’ which means a terrorist attack is highly likely. ”
Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds said it was a despicable act, adding: “These are scenes that we should all want to move away from in Northern Ireland.”
Senior Sinn Féin assembly member Gerry Kelly said it was a drive-by shooting and the officer’s injuries were not life-threatening. “I hope that the injured officer will make a full and speedy recovery,” he said. “Those responsible for this attack are the same people who are attacking the local community. They have absolutely nothing to offer society and need to call a halt to these activities immediately.
The attack comes as Northern Ireland prepares for fresh elections after the collapse of powersharing. Former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest over a botched green energy scheme which is predicted to leave taxpayers millions out of pocket.