THE attempted murder of a man in north Belfast has been linked to an ongoing feud between rival loyalist factions.
Shots were fired at a man walking in the Ballysillan area at around 8pm on Tuesday.
Police are investigating whether there is a link to a car later found burned out in the loyalist Westland estate.
The attack is being linked to the murder of former UDA brigadier John Boreland in August 2016.
Boreland was shot three times outside his home at Sunningdale Gardens, close to where Tuesday's shooting took place.
The shooting came a day after loyalists representatives from the UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commando issued a statement saying they fully supported the "rule of law" and that anyone involved in criminality would be placed "outside the membership" of the organisations.
Detective Inspector Rachel Wilson said: "We believe that a number of shots were fired at a man who was out walking in the Ballysillan/Tyndale Drive area. A further shot was discharged as the gunman ran from the scene.
"The man was not injured in the incident.
"We are appealing to anyone who saw any suspicious cars or activity in the area around the time of the shooting to get in touch with us.
"We would particularly like to hear from anyone who saw a tall male in his 30s or 40s in the area, who was dressed in a dark coat with his hood up and carrying a bag. We believe that he left the area in a car.
"We are also investigating whether there is a link between this shooting and a black Vauxhall Vectra that was found burned out in the Old Westland Road a short time later."
SDLP North Belfast MLA Nichola Mallon said it was "shocking that someone would recklessly fire shots into a residential street" and urged anyone with information to contact police.
"It is a miracle that no-one was seriously injured or killed.”
