Men escape with their lives after gun attack

Men escape with their lives after gun attack

17 January 2018

TWO Killyleagh men escaped with their lives after diving behind a wall in a flat during a terrifying shooting incident last weekend.

Up to eight shots were fired at the Castleview property around 7am on Sunday forcing the men inside to take cover to protect themselves from a hail of bullets.

While the incident is not believed to be sectarian, the use of a gun has been widely condemned with police and politicians concerned that those responsible for the shooting were able to get their hands on a weapon.

There were two separate incidents at the block of flats at the weekend. Around 5.30am, the man whose home was later targeted by the gunman, heard people shouting and banging doors at nearby properties and believes they were looking for a particular individual.

When he looked outside, he saw a group of people whom he remonstrated with during a heated exchange before they left the area on foot.

Ninety minutes later, while looking out of the front window of his flat, the man noticed a group of around 12 people walking towards his home from the direction of Braeside Gardens. Seconds later, he heard a crack and realising shots were being fired, dived for cover behind a wall along with his neighbour.

It is understood the shooting was captured on security cameras at the flats and a short time after the incident two men aged 25 and 39 were arrested, along with a 21 year-old woman. The trio were later released on bail pending further enquiries.

The man whose home was targeted is a relative of Rowallane DUP councillor Billy Walker who said he thought the days of armed people walking the streets with guns were over. 

Describing his relative as someone who “keeps himself to himself,” the councillor condemned those responsible for the shooting, expressing concern they were able to access a gun relatively quickly.

“I thought the days of people bringing guns on to the street was a thing of the past,” the councillor declared. “Such behaviour is reprehensible and must not be tolerated. Two men could have lost their lives, that is how serious this incident was. 

“We could have been looking at a murder investigation if my relative and his neighbour had not taken evasive action. It was truly terrifying as bullets rained around them and they are lucky to be alive. We do not want this nonsense in Killyleagh; it is the last thing people want.”

Councillor Walker said the crowd outside his relative’s home ran off moments after the shooting and that when the police were alerted they immediately sealed off Castleview and Braeside Gardens.

“My relative is extremely upset and has no idea why shots were fired at his home. I condemn this incident and hope we never witness anything like this in Killyleagh or any part of Northern Ireland again. 

“The incident could have been much more serious and two men could have lost their lives. We must not lose sight of this. I am very concerned that whoever was responsible for the shooting could get their hands on a gun.”

Councillor Walker added: “Killyleagh is a quiet town where everyone gets on extremely well together. We do not want incidents of this nature. A number of Castleview residents have been left traumatised by what happened, with several contemplating asking the Housing Executive to find them alternative accommodation.”

A PSNI spokeswoman said as investigations into the weekend shooting are ongoing it would be

“inappropriate to comment” while officers investigating the incident have issued an appeal for information.

They want to hear from anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity in the Castleview area on Sunday morning to contact them in the 101 non-emergency number quoting reference 378 14/01/18. Information can also be passed anonymously using the confidential Crimestoppers number, 0800 555111.