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Man arrested following paramilitary-style shooting in Newtownabbey

The shooting happened in an alley in the Bawnmore Park area of the town on Friday night. Picture by Paul Faith, PA Wire
The shooting happened in an alley in the Bawnmore Park area of the town on Friday night. Picture by Paul Faith, PA Wire The shooting happened in an alley in the Bawnmore Park area of the town on Friday night. Picture by Paul Faith, PA Wire

A 30-year-old man has been arrested following a paramilitary-style shooting in Newtownabbey.

The attack happened in an alleyway in the Bawnmore Park area on Friday night.

Police said the victim, who is also 30, was approached from behind in the alley by three men and shot once in the knee.

The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment, where his condition is not life threatening.

Police arrested the suspect in Newtownabbey on Saturday night and he remains in custody.

Detective Inspector Conor McStravick said bystanders could have been injured in the shooting.

"Officers examining the scene of the shooting have discovered that a second shot may have been fired, with the bullet striking the perimeter fence at the local youth club," he said.

"This shooting occurred at 7.30pm, a time when children could easily have been playing at the youth club. To my mind, this serves to underline the mindlessness and recklessness of those responsible."

Anyone with any information regarding the shooting has been urged to contact police on 101.

Meanwhile, detectives in Ballymoney, Co Antrim are investigating a paramilitary-style assault which left a man hospitalised.

The attack happened shortly after 8.30pm on Saturday, when three masked men entered a house in the Alexandra Avenue area of Town Parks and assaulted a 40 year-old man with batons.

Police said the injured man was taken to hospital for treatment to his face, hand, legs and ribs. His condition is not life-threatening.