Shooting Victim Killed In Front Of 11-Year-Old Child

Shooting Victim Killed In Front Of 11-Year-Old Child

The murder of a man in front of his partner and an 11-year-old child is “chilling”, police said.

Raymond Johnston, 28, was shot dead with a shotgun in Poleglass in West Belfast at around 8pm on Tuesday at a house in Glenbawn Avenue.

Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Boyce said: “It is just unacceptable that someone would produce a weapon and open fire in any circumstances.

“However, it is particularly chilling that this attack took place in front of his partner and an 11-year-old child in his own living room.”

He wants to hear from anyone who witnessed a man wearing a blue coat with fur around the hood make off from the scene, getting into a black car with tinted windows which drove away, as well as anyone with any other information.

He added: “While a definitive motive for the shooting has not been established we are exploring a number of possible lines of inquiry.”

Local police will continue to maintain a presence in the area to provide reassurance to residents.

Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said: “This horrific and sickening murder took place on a quiet, residential street as parents put their children to bed.

“There is absolutely no place in society for those who carried out this brutal murder.”

West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said the whole community was sickened.

Sinn Fein councillor Stephen Magennis said the community was outraged by the attack.

SDLP councillor Brian Heading said it was a “monstrous” criminal act and reminiscent of violent scenes from the past.

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said it was a shocking murder.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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