Three children escape injury after shots fired at house in west Belfast

By Q Radio News

Five people, including three children have escaped injury after shots were fired at a house in west Belfast. 

It happened in the St. Bernadette's Avenue area of the city at around 8.50pm last night. 

We’re appealing for information after a report of shots fired in west Belfast last night.

Read our appeal here: https://t.co/ZdF56UQllH

— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) February 24, 2021

A PSNI spokesperson said:

Police received a report  shortly before 8:50pm that a number of shots were fired at a property on St. Bernadette's Avenue. A man, aged in his thirties, and woman aged in her twenties, and three children were inside the house at the time of the incident. 

Detective Sergeant Eric Fairfield said: "This was a reckless attack, and we are fortunate no one was physically injured as a result of it but, as you can imagine, this was a distressing ordeal for the victims.

“The very fact those behind this reckless attack thought it was acceptable to fire shots at a house in a built-up area shows the contempt they have for people in their community. The bullets could have strayed at any moment and hit someone passing by.

“This is utterly appalling and needs to stop. 

"Our investigation continues this morning, and I want to make a number of appeals.

"If you were in the area last night, did you hear or see any suspicious activity, including any vehicles being driven in a suspicious manner? Did you see anyone in the area acting suspiciously? If you have any information you think might help our investigation, call our detectives at Musgrave on 101, and quote reference number 1831 of 23/02/21." 

Forensic teams visit the scene of the crime in west Belfast last night,