Three men have been arrested by detectives investigating the shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh last night.
The men, aged 38, 45 and 47, were this morning arrested in Omagh and Coalisland under the Terrorism Act in connection with the attempted murder, Chief Constable Simon Byrne said.
The chief constable said DCI Caldwell has undergone surgery and is critically ill.
The senior police officer was shot several times "from close range" in a "callous attack" by two gunmen dressed in dark clothing who fled on foot. DCI Caldwell had finished coaching an under-15 football team at Youth Sport Omagh at Killyclogher, near Omagh, when he was targeted. His young son was nearby.
Assistant Chief Constable for Crime Department Mark McEwan said his colleague ran a short distance after being shot, fell to the ground and they believe the gunmen continued to fire shots at him as he lay injured. Children ran "in sheer terror" towards the sports complex, he added.
ACC Mark McEwan said the dissident republican group the New IRA was the primary focus of the police investigation.
“Last night at approximately 8pm at the youth sports centre in Killyclogher Road, Omagh, when John was putting footballs into the boot of the car, accompanied by his young son, two gunmen approached and we believe both have fired multiple shots. John ran a short distance and fell to the ground when the gunmen continued to fire shots at him," ACC McEwan said.
“That shows the absolute callous nature of this attack, and it is utterly disgusting that the gunmen carried out this attempted murder in front of crowds of adults and children. John’s own young son was with him at the time and witnessed the shooting. The trauma inflicted on this young boy is just horrific and he will never forget seeing his dad shot multiple times.
“The gunmen fired from close range in the busy sports training area, which could also quite easily have killed or seriously injured children who were present at the time of the shooting."
The assistant chief constable said children ran for cover towards the sports complex and he paid tribute to a "brave" member of the public who administered first aid, as well as to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Watch live: Police in Belfast are holding a news conference after an off-duty officer was shot by masked men in Northern Ireland https://t.co/ZKD3qGid9A
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 23, 2023
ACC Mark McEwan said the dissident republican group the New IRA was the primary focus of the police investigation.
“The two gunmen, who were dressed in dark clothing, carried out this cowardly attack and left the scene on foot. At least two other vehicles were struck by their volley of shots.
“We believe the gunmen fled the scene in a small, dark-coloured vehicle shortly after 8pm. We believe this vehicle was abandoned and set on fire in Racolpa Road, Omagh.
“We want to hear from anyone who was in the area or who witnessed what happened to get in touch with any information that could help with our investigation.”
I understand John Caldwell had received a number of threats in the past and was therefore aware that his investigations relating to dissident republican attacks, such as the Ronan Kerr and Lyra McKee murders, had made him a high-profile target.
— Julian O'Neill (@julianoneill) February 23, 2023
