Northern Ireland

North Belfast gun attack was attempted murder, police confirm

&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; ">The man had been shot in the back in the Westland Way area. Photo by Mal McCann</span>
 The man had been shot in the back in the Westland Way area. Photo by Mal McCann  The man had been shot in the back in the Westland Way area. Photo by Mal McCann

A gun attack in north Belfast in which a man was shot in the back is being treated as attempted murder, the police have confirmed.

A man aged in his 30s was shot by a masked suspect in the early hours of today.

The police described the suspect as "slim and dressed all in dark clothing with a mask on and a hood drawn tight over his face".

Detective Sergeant Dougherty said: "It was reported shortly before 12:20am that a man, aged in his thirties, had been shot in the back in the Westland Way area. He was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.

"A suspect, described as slim and dressed all in dark clothing with a mask on and a hood drawn tight over his face, is believed to have fled the area on foot in the direction of Westland Road.

"Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have dashcam or other footage, to contact police on 101 quoting reference 22 of 24/5/22.

"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.   

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ .

North Belfast DUP MLA Brian Kingston said: "It is appalling that a man has been shot in the back and has sustained serious injuries, in an incident which the police are treating as attempted murder. I condemn this shooting without equivocation. My thoughts are with the victim and his family circle.

"Any incident in which guns are used on our streets is reckless and deeply upsetting for the entire local community. Those responsible must be brought to justice. I appeal to anyone who can assist the police investigation to bring forward any information that they may have.”

Sinn Féin's Carál Ní Chuilín, said local people had been left shocked.

"The shooting of a man in Westland Way this morning was wrong, and I condemn it," she said.

"There is absolutely no place for guns on our streets."