Man left with potentially life-changing injuries after west Belfast shooting

By Simon Hunter

The MP for West Belfast says his community has no time or tolerance for the shooting of a 24-year-old man.

It happened last night in the Whiterock Drive area, and has left him with potentially life-changing injuries.

A number of men in dark clothes entered a house and struck him over the head with a hammer before shooting him in both knees and ankles in the back yard.

Two women aged 17 and 21 saw the attack and were left extremely shaken.

Paul Maskey told Q Radio the perpetrators have no regard for anyone but themselves.

Detective Inspector Michael McDonnell said,

“This was a brutal and callous attack in a residential area where other residents or passers-by could have been injured. It is yet another example of how criminal groups seek to control communities through fear and violence.

“I would appeal to anyone with information about this incident, or anyone who may be able to help identify the attackers, to contact Musgrave Criminal Investigation Branch on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1189 of 19/1/18."