Police at scene of fatal shooting at west Belfast social club
A man has been shot dead in a social club in west Belfast.
The shooting happened at the social club of Donegal Celtic Football Club in Suffolk Road.LATEST: Man gunned down in social club named
It is understood the club was busy with people watching football on TV when two masked men entered the building on Sunday afternoon.
There was a heavy police presence at the scene in the aftermath.
Two ambulances were parked in the grounds while a PSNI helicopter hovered above.
A significant number of officers were in attendance, with the area cordoned off.
Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast Paul Maskey said the community was in shock.
"There's total shock in this community today with the offence that happened in Donegal Celtic today," he said as he visited the scene.
"My thoughts and sympathies are with this man's family.
"I personally don't know the victim but what I do know is that there's a family there and our thoughts and our sympathies are with this man's family at this stage.
"There is a family there and obviously they're grieving at this particular stage and obviously they'll be looking for assistance from the community as well.
"But there's shock within this community and people are sending their condolences to this man's family."
Mr Maskey urged anyone with information to come forward to police.
"I condemn those responsible. There is no place for guns on our streets," he said.
Part of Suffolk Road remained closed on Sunday afternoon with a number of diversions in place.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell said: “At approximately 2.45pm, police received a report that two masked men had entered the Donegal Celtic Sports and Social Club shortly before 2.30pm and shot the man a number of times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Both gunmen are believed to have made their escape on foot along Suffolk Road. “The investigation is at a very early stage and I would urge to anyone with information or anyone who was in the Suffolk Road area at the time the shooting took place and seen two men running from the club or who may have captured dashcam footage to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1120 02/10/22.” Information can also be provided online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
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