Police are investigating separate gun attacks in west Belfast and Newtownards in which two men were shot in the leg.
A man in his twenties was shot three times in Divismore Crescent in Belfast, which was described by police as a "barbaric attack".
It happened shortly after 9pm on Wednesday and the victim was taken to hospital for treatment.
PSNI Neighbourhood Inspector Róisín Brown said: "Although not believed to be life-threatening, the injuries sustained in this barbaric act will have significant impact on the victim and he will undoubtedly live with the trauma of what has happened to him.
"Everyone has the right to live their life free from the threat of violence and this brutal attack by people who violate the human rights of others must be universally condemned.
"We live in a democratic society where there is no justification for this.
"Those responsible brutalise their own communities and control others through intimidation and violence."
SDLP councillor Paul Doherty also said it was "a barbaric incident".
"It’s disgraceful that these type of attacks continue to happen in our area, bringing a bad name to our community and casting a dark shadow over the people who live here," he said.
“Violence of this kind must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, nobody wants to see incidents like this happening on our streets and the involvement of dangerous weapons is extremely concerning.
“The people carrying out these attacks do not have the support of the local community and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward to police.
"We need to see the thugs behind this attack brought to justice and this dangerous weapon seized before somebody else is seriously hurt or killed."
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said it was a "brutal shooting" and called for those responsible to "get off the backs of the community".
“Such actions are reprehensible, futile, and are opposed by the majority of people here," he said.
“Intimidation and fear are no means to address the issues facing working class areas like Ballymurphy.
"All they do is heap further hardship on communities racked by social deprivation."
Meanwhile, in Newtownards, a man in his 30s was shot in the calf in the Upper Movilla Street area of the town.
He was told by two men to lie down on his front with his face to the ground before he was shot at around 9.30pm on Wednesday.
It is believed the man's attackers were wearing balaclavas and dark clothing.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Our investigation is at an early stage, and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, and may have any information which could assist us, to get in touch.
"The injuries inflicted on the victim are a stark violation of his basic human rights. There is no justification for this type of violence.
"Attacks like these not only place the victim at risk, but also the local community."
