Image of suspect in McKeown murder is released by police
DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Malcolm McKeown have issued a new appeal for information as they released a new CCTV image of a man believed to be involved.
The CCTV image was taken minutes before the crime boss was gunned down outside a Co Down filling station in August.
It shows the man sitting behind the wheel of a blue Volkswagen Passat.
This is the same vehicle he and an accomplice escaped in and which was found burnt out on the edge of the Mourneview estate in Lurgan.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery also made a number of fresh appeals for information about the murder carried out at close range in broad daylight on August 19.
He said: “My investigation into the cold and calculated murder of this father-of-three is continuing at pace.
“I now believe there were several people involved in his killing. In every murder there are
The gunmen travelled in this dark blue VW Passat
people involved in different aspects of the crime including planning, targeting, supplying weapons, transporting the weapons away from the scene and the clean-up operation.
“I have released a photograph of a man who appears to be wearing a baseball cap, as he drives into Dewarts Garage shortly before the murder at around 7.19pm.
“Mr McKeown was shot up to six times just minutes after he left the shop at the petrol station and I suspect that two guns were used. His body was found slumped in his car at the side of the garage at around 9pm.
“The gunmen travelled in a dark blue VW Passat, regis
tration RK62 PLX. It was first seen entering Dewarts Garage at 6.23pm. I believe the gunmen waited in it at the back of the filling station for around 56 minutes before shooting Mr McKeown. CCTV shows the vehicle leaving Dewarts at 7.19pm.
“I would still like to hear from anyone who saw the car, or the people inside the Passat during these times. Were you at the garage, or were you driving in the area and have dash cam footage?
“The car was later found burnt out on the Glenavon Lane in Lurgan at approximately 7.26pm. Did you see the occupants get out of it and set it on fire?
“Anyone with information is asked to contact officers on 101.”