A YOUNG boy in west Belfast has been left "traumatised" after seeing his father shot in a paramilitary-style attack.
The child was present when three men forced their way into his family home in the Brooke Drive area at around 10.40pm on Sunday.
The gunmen then shot his father, who is aged in his forties, in both ankles.
Police said the child then "ran to a neighbour's house to raise the alarm".
Police and paramedics arrived on the scene and the victim was taken to hospital where he is due to undergo surgery.
Detective Inspector Kerry Brennan said what had happened was a "brutal attack" which "occurred in the man's home while his young son was present".
"This young boy was placed in a reprehensible situation and has been left traumatised by the vicious and merciless actions of these thugs who hide behind masks," she said.
"This is nothing short of emotional and psychological abuse of a child.
"Nothing gives these people the right to violate the human rights of people and their actions should be condemned by all."
DI Brennan said police were currently "working to establish a motive and appealed for information.
Sinn Féin councillor Stephen Magennis, said there was "no place in society for the armed gangs behind these attacks."
"The message needs to be heard loud and clear in the community that these groups need to halt these attacks immediately," he said.
SDLP councillor Brian Heading urged those responsible to stop.
“Last night’s shooting was a brutal attack and a violation of the desire of people in west Belfast to live in peace. The group carrying out these actions are attempting to control a community through violence or the threat of violence. It did not work in the past and it will not work now."
Police meanwhile are appealing for information after a 20-year-old man was shot in Newtownards.
The victim was targeted as he walked in the vicinity of Sunderland Park, close to a play park. He was dragged into an area nearby by two masked men and shot in the left leg.
The shooting happened at around 10pm on Friday.
Police said the attackers were dressed in dark clothing.
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment.
A PSNI spokesman described what had happened as a "brutal attack for which there is no justification".
Alliance assembly member Kellie Armstrong said: "These groups are nothing but criminals, more interested in bullying, drug dealing and carrying out deadly attacks".
"They have no place in the community and it’s time for the people of Newtownards to help remove this scourge from the area. If you know anyone who claims to be a part of an illegal paramilitary group then pass this information to the PSNI," she said.
