Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Armed PSNI swoop after shots fired Man held over ‘attempted murder’
ARMED response cops swooped on a village early yesterday morning after a man was shot and beaten in a brutal attack.
The victim is understood to be have been blasted in the leg before being assaulted around Main Street in Garvagh, Co Derry, following an alleged dispute.
The incident happened at around 3am in scenes described by one source as “like something out of the wild west”.
Three shots were fired during the incident.
It is unclear if the gun used has been recovered and police urged witnesses who may have seen a man running off with the weapon to come forward.
Two people were arrested following the incident.
PSNI Det Insp Mullan said officers “received a report in the early hours that three shots had been fired in the Main Street area of the town”.
He added: “We believe one of these shots injured a 46-year-old man in his lower leg. The man was taken to hospital where he required surgery for his wound and treatment for other injuries to his face and body.
“Armed response units were tasked to the area to ensure the safety of members of the public.
“A 25-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a 28-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender. They are currently in custody, helping police with their enquiries.
“Several searches were also carried out in the Garvagh area and a number of items taken away for examination.
“We are appealing to anyone who was in the Main Street area between 2am and 4am on Sunday and witnessed this incident or saw any suspicious activity, to contact us on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 354 of 10/12/17.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw a male making off from the scene on foot, carrying a suspicious item in his hand.”
The police said any witnesses can also get in touch anonymously via Crimestoppers on
0800 555 111.
UUP Councillor Richard Holmes, who lives in area, said: “Guns and shootings should be a thing of the past and the local community stand against such things.
“The community are shocked and appalled by this incident and only grateful we are not mourning the death of this man.
“The actions of the few are not reflective of the community in Garvagh, where the community is law-abiding.”