Lyra McKee: PSNI Release New CCTV Footage Of Gunman

Police investigating the murder of Lyra McKee in L'Derry last week have released new CCTV footage of her killer and made a fresh appeal for information.

The video depicts the gunman, a man of stocky build wearing dark clothing, walking in the area before firing the fatal shots.

The 29-year-old journalist died when reporting on a night of violent disorder in Creggan on Thursday 18 April. She was shot dead while standing near a PSNI jeep as a dissident republican gunman fired indiscriminately towards officers.

The New Ira later accepted responsibility for the death.

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who is leading the investigation, said there was approximately 100 people on the ground during the riots, indicating that the information about Lyra's killer lies within the local community.

"People saw the gunman and his associates," he said. "I think people within the community know who they are. I'm asking them to come forward and help us.

"I'm releasing footage today from the night of Lyra's murder and I want to appeal to anyone who recognises or knows these people to talk to us."

About one minute before the murder, the footage shows three men walking across Central Drive, one carrying a crate of petrol bombs in the direction of a crowd that included children.

Police also released a description of a second man who was later seen holding a petrol bomb. He wore skinny jeans, blue Nike trainers with a white tick and a white sole, along with a camouflage scarf covering his face. Anyone who knows the identity of this individual is urged to contact police.

Detective Superintendent Murphy said: "I recognise people living in Creggan may feel it's difficult to come forward to speak to police. I want to provide a personal reassurance that we are able to deal with these concerns sensitively. At Lyra's funeral on Wednesday we heard many messages about the potential for a better future but as I have said previously, such sentiment will all be in vain if collectively we cannot tackle the malign influence that some individuals continue to exert over our communities.

"I am really grateful to the Crimestoppers charity for supporting our efforts to unlock the information that I believe rests within the community. The substantial reward is a recognition of the challenges that the community may feel exist.

"To date, we have received widespread public support including more than 140 people providing images, footage and other details via our dedicated Major Incident Public Portal. However, community information and intelligence is not evidence. Such information simply gets me through the door but it doesn't get me to a courtroom."

DS Murphy reiterated the need for anyone who witnessed the murder to contact police on non-emergency line 101 or to contact Crimestoppers to help secure a prosecution for Lyra's murder.








(JG)