Man escapes injury in West Belfast shooting

By David Hunter

A gunshot has been fired at the living room window of a house in West Belfast.

A man escaped injury during the incident in St.James' Road shortly after midnight.

Residents described hearing a ‘loud bang’ at the time, before the occupant reported a broken window at around 3am.

Police say there was also what appeared to be part of a 'spent cartridge' at the scene.

A man from west Belfast has told Q Radio he has "no idea" why a gunshot was fired at his living room window.

MP Paul Maskey blamed dissident republican gangs but police say enquiries are ongoing to establish a motive. 

“These threats should be lifted immediately” said Mr.Maskey. 
 
“The organisations issuing them have a long history of extorting cash from drug dealers and other criminal elements in return for allowing them to continue inflicting misery on this community.
 
“These people aren't interested in protecting communities, they're only interested in extorting cash.
 
“The reckless shooting in St James is yet another example of their callous disregard for the people of this area.

"I called with the victims of last night's attack and they are badly shaken up.
 
“All the indications are that this was a case of mistaken identity as the house they targeted was close to the home of one of the individuals named on the list."