Man shot in both legs in paramilitary style shooting in Derry-Londonderry

By Q Radio News

A man in his 30s was shot in both legs in a Derry-Londonderry street last night after being approached by eight masked men as he walked to the shop.

The shooting happened near Rafferty Close in Ballymagroarty shortly after 8pm last night while children played nearby.

Police called the attack vicious and brutal and said it bore all the hallmarks of a paramilitary attack.

This local resident told QRadio that residents tried their best to stem the bleeding with bath towels as they waited for the ambulance…..

The man is being treated for his injuries at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Inspector Vince Redmond said: "We received a report just after 8:15pm that a man, aged in his thirties, had been shot in the legs in the Gogarty Close area.  

"The injured man is currently being treated for his injuries.  

“This has all the hallmarks of a paramilitary attack. This was a vicious and brutal shooting in early evening when families were going about their business. The very fact that these gunmen thought it was acceptable to recklessly shoot this man in a built-up area where children and teenagers could be passing by 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. 

“Anyone who witnessed this masked and armed gang of up to eight men who roamed the streets in the early evening would have been absolutely petrified, including the victim himself. This is not what we want in our communities. 

“There is absolutely no justification for an attack like this in our communities, and we must all work together to bring those responsible to justice and to stop this from happening to anyone else. 

“If you saw anything tonight, or if you know anything about this incident which could assist us with our investigation please pick up the phone and call detectives at Strand Road on 101 and quote reference number 1286 14/11/18." 

Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.

A man, believed to be in his 30s has been shot in the legs in the Rafferty Close area of Ballymagroarty #Derry this evening. Police have the street cordoned off pic.twitter.com/UCwiXTnuXN

— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) 14 November 2018