POLICE have described the shooting of a 20-year-old man in Derry as "sickening and brutal".
Three men forced their way into a house in the Creggan area on Wednesday night and shot the victim three times in the legs.
A woman and two children were also in the house in Oakland Park at the time of the attack at around 9.25pm. They were not injured, but were left shaken by their ordeal.
Police said the man's injuries "may well be life-changing" and appealed for witnesses to contact them.
PSNI Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton said: "This was a sickening and brutal attack and yet another example of how criminal groups seek to control communities through fear and violence.
"These attacks are barbaric and are about people cementing their own status and control over communities. Nothing gives these people the right to violate the human rights of others.
"They have no place in our society and their actions should be condemned by all."
Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Campbell condemned the shooting.
"These actions should stop immediately and those responsible should pack up and get off the backs of the community," he said.
"Anyone with information on this shooting should bring it forward to the police immediately."
