Newry Shooting: Police say victim was ‘ambushed and executed’ in ‘beyond reckless’ attack | Newry News Today
Newry police say that a man murdered in a gun attack in Newry last night was shot multiple times at close range.
The man, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene yesterday evening, Thursday 1 December 2022.
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation.
The 58-year-old man was shot a number of times, at close range, outside his home in the Ardcarn Park area of the city.
The attack took place just after 6 pm.
“Beyond reckless”.
Superintendent Norman Haslett, local commander for Newry, Mourne & Down Policing District, described the attack as ‘beyond reckless’.
He said, “We believe those responsible went to great lengths to plan their attack and lie in wait for their victim to essentially ambush and execute him.
“The victim, who was a husband, a father and a son, was shot multiple times at close range and the level of violence used was reprehensible.
“This murder took place in a built-up residential area of Newry at teatime, when people would have been coming home from work and when families and children would have been out and about in the run-up to Christmas.
“This was beyond reckless.
“Anyone – any child, any neighbour – could all too easily have been seriously injured or worse.
“Indeed, after the attack, the victim’s car ended up crashing into a neighbouring property.
“Those responsible had no thought whatsoever for the victim, for his family or for the local community.
“No moral compass”.
“They have no moral compass and I would condemn their actions in the strongest possible terms.”
Superintendent Haslett has appealed to anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone who was in the area and witnessed the attack, or who may have captured dash cam footage, is asked to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1600 of 01/12/22.
He also made an appeal for calm, saying, “Local residents will see an increase in the visible police presence in the area in the coming days and weeks.
“I would like to appeal for calm and the last thing anyone wants to see is any form of retribution.”
“Brutal killing”.
Speaking last night as the shocking news emerged, local political representatives from Newry and Mourne, expressed their shock and condemned those responsible for the murder.
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins described it as “a brutal killing”.
“There’s shock in the local community.
“This is a brutal killing and a family has now been left grieving as a result.
“I unreservedly condemn it.
“There is no place for guns on our streets.
“I would urge anyone with information to bring it forward to the police,” she adds.
“There is no place for guns on our streets”.
Alliance representatives also expressed shock following the fatal Newry shooting.
Alliance Policing Board member Nuala McAllister MLA and Newry representative Helena Young condemned those behind the murder.
“This has sent shockwaves through the local community,” says Ms Young.
“My sympathies are with the loved ones of the deceased after this disgraceful act of violence.
“Those who have carried out this murder represent no one and the people of Newry don’t want them.
“They have spread across the city with this act and they need to be taken off the streets,” she adds.
“There is no place for guns on our streets,” says Ms McAllister.
“This is a call back to the dark old days and we cannot allow those who want to drag us back to the past to do so.
“If anyone has any information on this tragic incident, I ask them to take it to the police immediately,” she adds.
“Disgraceful attack”.
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty also condemned the fatal shooting in Newry.
Mr McNulty said the local community was reeling following the incident.
“This is a shocking incident and the local community has been in a state of disbelief as details have emerged.
“Nobody wants to see scenes like this in our community.
“There can be no place for guns on our streets.
“I would encourage anyone with any information to come forward to police as soon as possible so the people behind this disgraceful attack can be apprehended and this dangerous weapon can be removed from circulation before anyone else is hurt.”
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