Four arrested over Belfast paramilitary shooting
Four men have been arrested over a paramilitary-style gun attack in west Belfast that left the 20-year-old victim with potentially life-changing injuries.
The young man was found in an alleyway in the Westrock Park area of the city, with a single gunshot wound to each leg, at about 8.30pm on Friday.
He remains in hospital.
“This was a vicious and brutal shooting in an area where families live,” PSNI Detective Inspector Barry Hamilton said.
“To shoot this man in an area where anyone could have been passing shows the contempt they have for people in their community.”
On Saturday morning, a number of searches were carried out under the Terrorism Act in the Clonfadden Crescent, Iris Street, Albert Street, and Whiterock Crescent areas.
Police say a number of items, including electronic devices, were seized for further examination.
Four men - aged 33 and 48 and two aged 39 - were arrested under the Terrorism Act and are remain in custody assisting with enquiries.
DI Hamilton added: “We need support from the public to bring those responsible to justice and I am appealing to anyone with any information to contact detectives on 101.”
Information can also be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The shooting came after a similar separate incident in Londonderry, also on Friday evening.
A mum heard her son’s cries of pain as he was shot in both legs in the Lisfannon Park area and had to run to his aid.