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Man shot dead outside north Belfast house Man shot dead outside north Belfast house
(about 1 hour later)
Police launch murder inquiry into Ardoyne killing as burned out car found nearby Police launch murder inquiry into Ardoyne killing witnessed by children playing nearby
A murder investigation has been launched after a man was shot dead in north Belfast. Children playing in their front gardens are believed to have witnessed the murder of a man in north Belfast.
Witnesses said the man was shot in the front garden of a property in the Ardoyne area on Saturday morning. It is understood a burned out car found on nearby Jamaica Road was used in the attack. A councillor whose constituency includes the Ardoyne district where the fatal shooting occurred, said a number of children were playing nearby when the man was shot dead.
The victim was killed in the front garden of a house in Etna Drive in Ardoyne.
Local sources said they did not believe the killing had a sectarian motive, and that the victim was not from the area.
In a statement released shortly after 1pm, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: “We can confirm a man has died in a shooting in north Belfast. Officers remain at the scene at Etna Drive. We will provide further info when we can.”In a statement released shortly after 1pm, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: “We can confirm a man has died in a shooting in north Belfast. Officers remain at the scene at Etna Drive. We will provide further info when we can.”
The SDLP North Belfast councillor, Paul McCusker, said the “brutal crime” had caused immense shock in the community. Paul McCusker, an SDLP councillor for north Belfast, said a number of people living in Etna Drive tried to save the victim after he was shot.
“A man was shot in a garden in this community in broad daylight. It’s hard to describe how traumatic this has been for people who were going about their business. My thoughts are with this man’s family at an incredibly difficult time,” McCusker said. “One man from Etna Drive tried to use CPR to revive him but to no avail while other neighbours in the street comforted him until the emergency services came,” he said.
McCusker said it was deeply disturbing that young children playing in their front gardens while locked down at home due to the coronavirus crisis may have witnessed the shooting.
“This brutal crime has caused immense shock in Ardoyne. My thoughts are with this man’s family at an incredibly difficult time.
“I also think that this will compound the already massive pressure on people living here who are having problems coping with self-isolation and lockdown,” he added.
Investigating officers had locked down large parts of the area surrounding the location of the shooting, he said, urging the public to cooperate with the police.Investigating officers had locked down large parts of the area surrounding the location of the shooting, he said, urging the public to cooperate with the police.
“Those responsible for this barbaric crime have no support here. They need to be caught and brought to justice. I would encourage anyone with information to bring it to the police as soon as possible.” A car believed to have been used in the killing was found on fire a short distance away in Ardoyne on Jamaica Street.
Gerry Kelly, the Sinn Féin member of the legislative assembly for North Belfast, also condemned the shooting.Gerry Kelly, the Sinn Féin member of the legislative assembly for North Belfast, also condemned the shooting.
“I would appeal for calm at this time in the area and stress that anybody with any information about this horrific incident should bring it immediately to the PSNI,” he said. “Actions like this have no place in our society and I repeat my condemnation of those involved.“I would appeal for calm at this time in the area and stress that anybody with any information about this horrific incident should bring it immediately to the PSNI,” he said. “Actions like this have no place in our society and I repeat my condemnation of those involved.
“At a time when all frontline statutory agencies and indeed communities are doing what they can to fight against Covid-19 this just adds to the suffering unfortunately being experienced by local people at this time.”“At a time when all frontline statutory agencies and indeed communities are doing what they can to fight against Covid-19 this just adds to the suffering unfortunately being experienced by local people at this time.”