POLICE have described a paramilitary-style gun attack in which a 41 year-old man was shot in the ankle as "brutal and horrific".
The man was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital for treatment but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
It is believed that the attack on Thursday night in Derry was a “shooting-by-appointment" after the man was ordered to attend Creggan shops in Derry – a frequent location for paramilitary-style shootings in the past.
It is the 16th paramilitary-style shooting in Derry this year and the third in the past month.
PSNI Chief Inspector Ivor Morton said the attack was particularly horrific and another example of how criminal groups sought to control communities through fear and violence.
“We have taken the decision to release a photograph of the victim’s blood-stained trainer to highlight the vicious nature of the attack," the senior police officer said.
The gun attack was condemned by Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Campbell who described it as a “shooting-by-appointment.”
Referring to recent community-organised events in the run-up to Christmas he said the incident "runs completely against the grain of everything which this community is doing."
DUP councillor Drew Thompson, who is chairman of Derry and Strabane’s policing partnership, also condemned the attack.
“The criminal gang... have no concern for people living in the area and no matter what rationale is put forward this vicious assault has no place in our society,” he said.
