MURDER victim Liam Christie was blasted up to four times in a gun attack branded "brutal" by the PSNI.
The remains of the 44-year-old were discovered in a house in the Craighill area of the Ballycraigy estate in Antrim at around 9am on Thursday.
It is understood the father-of-three was gunned down in a bedroom of the property.
Mr Christie, who is originally from north Belfast, is understood to have lived in the staunchly loyalist area for several years. Sources say he had recently been ordered from the district by a drugs gang with links to the LVF. He had been living at the address where he was murdered for several weeks.
A Catholic, it is understood his murder was not sectarian.
Sources say Mr Christie was well-known in criminal circles and had connections with the drugs trade.
Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson confirmed at a press conference yesterday that the victim was shot at close range and was "known to police".
"This is a brutal killing and I'm appealing for information to help bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice," she said.
She described the murder probe as being at a "very early stage" and appealed for anyone who saw anything unusual in the area between 7pm on Wednesday and 9am on Thursday come forward. She added that a member of the public had possibly heard shots at around 2am on Thursday but "believed it was fireworks".
"I would be keen to establish if anyone else heard any usual noises around this time," she said.
The PSNI woman said police are keeping an "open mind" about Mr Christie's murder.
She added that the victim's three sons and partner are trying to come to terms "with the loss of Liam in such violent circumstances" and added that "the Craighill community are also shocked at such a brutal murder taking place in their area".
A 31-year-old has been arrested and remained in custody last night.
Local DUP councillor Paul Dunlop said: "It's still an ongoing investigation and I'm still saying let the police finish that and lets hope the family get answers and (I'm) asking for calm."
