POLICE have said that a man shot dead in south Belfast last night was killed “as part of a criminal feud”.
A murder investigation is under way after Stephen Carson (28) died following a gun attack at 77 Walmer Street, near the Ormeau Road.
Police say Mr Carson was enjoying a takeaway meal with his partner (26) and nine-year-old son at around 10.45pm on Thursday, when at least three men carrying a hammer and a shotgun, burst into the house and there was a confrontation.
Mr Carson who had recently been released from prison, ran into a downstairs bathroom, but his attackers followed and fired the shotgun through the bathroom door.
He sustained a head injury and was taken to hospital, but later died from his injuries.
His partner and son were not physically injured but they have been severely traumatised.
The attackers then left on foot in the direction of Haywood Avenue. Police believe that a fourth man may have been outside the house during the murder.
Police set up a large cordon around the two-storey mid-terraced house with uniformed officers stationed at both ends of Walmer Street.
A number of neighbouring streets were closed and officers were seen searching an alleyway, while police also conducted a search of a nearby house on Friday morning.
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes from Serious Crime Branch, said that he believes Mr Carson was shot “as part of a criminal feud.”
“We do not believe at this stage there was any paramilitary involvement nor do we believe this was sectarian”
“This was a cold-blooded and brutal murder. It is vital that Stephen Carson’s killers are caught and brought before the courts.”
Mr Geddes said Mr Carson's partner and child had been left severely traumatised.
"If you think of a nine-year-old boy who had to see and listen to his dad being killed," he said.
Neighbours, who claimed the victim had only recently moved into the area, have spoken of their shock.
One woman, who declined to be named, said she heard a commotion but did not think it was a cause for concern.
"I can't believe this has happened on my doorstep," she said.
Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Hargey has said that there is "widespread shock in the area" following the shooting.
"The shooting dead of a young man in a house in Walmer Street last night was wrong and I condemn it utterly.
"I would call on anyone with information on this shooting to bring it forward to the PSNI so that those responsible can be caught and taken off the streets."
SDLP assembly member Claire Hanna, who lives in the area, described the murder as "horrible news".
The Green Party's Claire Bailey also condemend the "barbaric act of violence".
“I am shocked and horrified that the level of depraved violence experienced last night," she said.
“Walmer Street is a tight knit community with many long term residents.
“My thoughts are with the young man as well as residents, some of whom are personal friends.
“As a community we deserve better. We need to do all we can to make sure guns are removed from our streets".
Police have asked that anyone with information about the incident contact them, particularly if they noticed strange or suspicious behaviour in the area or saw a silver taxi, possibly a Mercedes, around the time of the murder.
