Man arrested after accidentally shooting himself in stomach ‘during feud attack’
A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after accidentally shooting himself.
It follows an incident in Forkhill, Co Armagh, on Tuesday night.
The man has also been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and criminal damage.
It is believed he shot himself in the stomach before he was later dumped at the entrance of Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry in what is believed to have been a Traveller feud attack. He underHonda went surgery, with his condition described as critical but stable.
Police said a car packed with men unloaded in the Park Urney area in Forkhill before they attacked a parked car with one man inside at around 6.30pm.
The 54-year-old in the car was attacked after trying to run away from the car during the incident. Police said he may have been hit by a gun, resulting in cuts to his head needing hospital treatment.
As he again attempted to make his escape, one man gave chase before he fell and was shot in the stomach.
He was taken to Daisy Hill Hospital in a blue Honda Accord and left at the entrance. The was later found burnt out in the Mourne View Park in Newry.
The BBC reported the incident was part of a Traveller feud. Police said they were investigating a motive. Sinn Fein MP Mickey Brady said he utterly condemned what he said was a “horrendous incident” and called for information to be passed to the PSNI.
“There is no place for guns in our society,” he said. “The area is in shock over what has happened. This was a savage attack and something we do not want in our communities.”
Detective Inspector Handley added: “This was a reckless series of events and it only by sheer luck that we are not dealing with a tragic situation today.
“Two men ended up in hospital.
“However, anyone who was in the vicinity last night could well have been caught up in this and injured.
“Our investigation into these incidents is under way and we are working to establish a motive for what occurred.”