Northern Ireland

'Shots fired' in Derry housing estate

 A car was burnt after shots were fired at a housing estate in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
 A car was burnt after shots were fired at a housing estate in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin  A car was burnt after shots were fired at a housing estate in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

SHOTS were fired after a car was rammed in a housing estate in Derry this morning.

Police said the driver managed to travel to a nearby police station following the attack in the Sevenoaks estate in the Waterside at around 7am today.

There were no reports of any injuries.

PSNI detective inspector Stephanie Finlay said: "This was a completely reckless attack carried out in a residential area and we are very lucky today that no-one has been seriously hurt or killed."

Police believe a silver Peugeot rammed into the black car as it drove near the entrance to Sevenoaks.

Ms Finlay added: "A number of shots are then believed to have been fired at the driver of the black car who managed to leave the area and drive to a local police station. There have been no reports of any injuries.

"The silver Peugeot was abandoned and set alight at Lincoln Court a short time after the incident."

She appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

Police at the scene of an attack in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Police at the scene of an attack in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Police at the scene of an attack in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

DUP MLA Gary Middleton said it was fortunate that no one was injured or killed.

He said residents reported hearing two loud bangs.

"We're now led to believe, speaking to the PSNI, that they were actually gunshots, which is very disturbing," he said.

"We're led to believe that a car was rammed by another car and subsequently shots were fired at that car and then the car was burnt out in the nearby Lincoln Court area of the Waterside."

The area is cordoned off and police remain at the scene.

SDLP councillor Martin Reilly urged anyone with information to contact police.

“Police have cordoned off two locations within the Sevenoaks area following reports of two loud bangs in the area this morning," he said.

"The police remain on the scene and I would encourage people to avoid the area where possible.

“I have spoken with residents and police this morning and will continue to liaise with them.

“This is unwanted and unnecessary disruption to those who are travelling to work and going about their day."

 A car was burnt after shots were fired at a housing estate in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
 A car was burnt after shots were fired at a housing estate in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin  A car was burnt after shots were fired at a housing estate in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Police at the scene of an attack in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin<br />&nbsp;
Police at the scene of an attack in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
 
Police at the scene of an attack in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
 
Sevenoaks Estate&nbsp;in Derry was cordoned off after two shots were fired. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Sevenoaks Estate in Derry was cordoned off after two shots were fired. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Sevenoaks Estate in Derry was cordoned off after two shots were fired. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin