Man shot dead while picking child up from school in west Belfast

The NI Ambulance Service received an emergency call at 3:15pm on Tuesday. Credit: Pacemaker

A man has been shot dead outside a school in west Belfast.

The incident happened in the Glen Road area outside St Mary’s Christian Brothers school on Tuesday afternoon.

It is understood the victim was in his car waiting to pick up his child when he was targeted by a gunman in a high-vis vest.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received an emergency call at around 3.15 pm.

Police have launched a murder investigation.

Appeal to find shooter

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery said: "Police are currently at the scene of a shooting during which a man died this afternoon.

"I would like to appeal to anyone who saw a man in his 40s, wearing a high vis vest with the words 'Security' on the back heading in the direction of Glen Road, as well as anyone who witnessed the shooting or was in the Glen Road area from 3pm today, to come forward and speak to police.

"An incident room has been set up in Musgrave Police Station and anyone with information can contact detectives there on 101 quoting reference 741 04/12/18. 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."

School statement

In a statement, St Mary's said: "The thoughts and prayers of the Principal and all the staff are with our pupil and his family at this very sad time."

The school will be closed on Wednesday 5th December 2018 due to the on-going investigation.

The school will also be providing pupils with counselling and support services.

  • UTV Live reporter Sara Moore was at the scene:

SDLP Councillor Tim Attwood has condemned the gun attack.

Speaking from the scene, he said: “It is absolutely sickening that a gun was fired in the vicinity of both a primary and secondary school in west Belfast today.

“There is absolutely no place for this in 2018; this madness belongs in the past and we cannot allow it to once again become our normality," said Cllr Attwood.

  • Sara Moore reports: