'Get Off Our Backs!'- L'Derry Shooting Condemned

The "barbaric" shooting of a man in both legs in L'Derry on Wednesday evening has been condemned in the local community.

Police released further details on the paramilitary style attack, which saw a man in his 30's targeted by a group of men in the Galliagh area of the city at around 8pm.

The victim managed to make his way to Leafair Gardens for assistance after the shots were fired in the Brookdale Park area. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

SDLP Leader and local MLA Colum Eastwood hit out at those behind the shooting. He wrote on Twitter: "Another barbaric attack in Galliagh tonight. It's the 21st century, get off our backs!"

PSNI Chief Inspector Bob Blemmings provided an update on the investigation, condemning the shooting in a busy built up area of the city.

"This has all the hallmarks of a paramilitary attack and a group of men are believed to have been involved," he said.

"This was a vicious and brutal shooting in the early evening when families were going about their business and the fact that these gunmen thought it was acceptable to shoot this man in a built-up area where children and teenagers could be passing by shows the contempt they have for people in their community.

"There is absolutely no justification for an attack like this in our communities, and we must all work together to bring those responsible to justice and to stop this from happening to anyone else."

Anyone who saw anything suspicious, or holds any information about the incident is urged to call detectives at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference 2015 of 25/09/19 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



(JG/MH)