A MAN injured in a shooting attack in Derry may never get over the physical, mental scars and trauma caused by the attack, police have said.
The victim, who is in his thirties, was shot once in the leg by a lone masked gunman at Whitehouse Road shortly after 9pm yesterday. The attack took place in a wooded area close to the junction of Coshquin Road and Whitehouse Road on the outskirts of the city.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time. A spokesman appealed to motorists with dashcam who may have captured the gunman on their footage.
He said: “The shooting we witnessed is a clear human rights’ abuse and the injuries inflicted on the victim are a stark violation of people’s basic human rights. This attack will leave physical and mental scars and trauma that may never heal. No good comes from this ever.”
The assault was widely condemned. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood appealed to anyone with information to contact police.
"Our communities do not need this intimidation and the threat of violence hanging over them. Nobody wants to live in fear. These attacks hark back to the darkest period of our past and I call on those responsible to end this violence," he said.
Sinn Féin councillor Conor Heaney said the attack was wrong and there was no place for guns in society.
Foyleside independent councillor, Sean Carr said violence should never be accepted.
“No matter what the reason was for this attack – if ever there was a reason – the gun is never the answer,” Mr Carr said.
Chairman of Derry and Strabane policing partnership, Ulster Unionist councillor Darren Guy said people were “sick and tired” of such incidents.
Mr Guy said: “These ongoing attacks are totally unacceptable in our society and must be condemned by all of us.”
