Chief Insepctor Tony Callaghan says last night’s shooting was “savage”
POLICE say a man shot by dissident republican gunmen in Derry last night is lucky to be alive.
A senior officer said the man was the victim of a “savage” attack after he was shot in the upper leg close to the main artery.
A number of dissident republicans were involved in the paramilitary attack which took place in a house on Brandywell Road.
It is understood the victim, a male in his 20s, was shot several times in the legs before the gunmen fled on foot.
The injured man was later taken by ambulance to the accident and emergency department at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Because of the seriousness and extent of his injuries, the 23-year-old has now been transferred to the A&E department at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for specialist surgery.
His condition is not yet known.
Police have cordoned off the area behind Brandywell Road for a forensic examination could take place.
Chief Inspector Tony Callaghan, Derry City commander, said this was a callous incident.
“Even by the brutal standards of previous similar incidents, this was a particularly savage attack,” said Chief Inspector Callaghan.
“Early indications are that this man has sustained particularly severe wounds with potentially life-changing injuries.
“This was not what some people call a ‘kneecapping’.
“This young man has sustained gunshot wounds to his femurs – a particularly dangerous part of the body in which to inflict gunshot wounds.
“There can be little doubt that these injuries could have killed, indeed there have been other incidents in which fatalities have occurred in similar circumstances.
“We believe that at least two gunmen were involved in the incident, which occurred in the living room of a house at Brandywell Road. The suspected gunmen made their getaway on foot.
“We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area and heard or saw anything relevant to the shooting.
“In particular we would like to trace the movements of the gunmen before and after the incident.
“If you have any information, no matter how small, please call the detectives at Strand Road on 101, or, alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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