A 16 year old has been injured in a paramilitary style shooting in west Belfast.
He was shot in both legs in the Aitnamona area just before 9 o clock on Sunday night.
His injuries aren't believed to be life threatening.
Police have described the attack as "blatant child abuse".
A 16 year old boy has been shot in a paramilitary style attack in Aitnamona Crescent in Belfast. His injuries aren't life threatening.
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 18, 2016
Chief Inspector Norman Haslett “totally condemns the horrific act of violence".
The PSNI commander said: "There should be no place for the shooting of a child in today’s society”.
SDLP West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood has condemned the shooting of a 16 year old boy in the city.
“I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms.
“At a time of the year which is all about children and younger people, this serves to highlight its brutality.
“The regularity of these shootings and assaults should compel people to help the police and identify the perpetrators.
“I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward.” he added
More than 5,000 NI children set to spend Christmas in temporary accommodation
No evidence of police collusion in 1978 La Mon bombing
Sex offender who targeted girls online across the UK jailed for 27 years
Pre-trial rulings due in Bloody Sunday prosecution of Soldier F
‘Worst-case scenario’ could delay Belfast maternity hospital by four years