A man in his 40s is receiving hospital treatment following a shooting incident in County Down on Wednesday evening. He was taken from the Glen estate in Newtownards by multiple individuals in a vehicle and transported to a green space situated between Ballyreagh Way and Fairfield Court, where an unknown assailant shot him in the calf.
The victim contacted emergency services and reported that he had been "collected" from the Glen estate at approximately 20:00 BST. According to his account, he was then "driven to a green area" where the shooting took place.
Police response and investigation
Detective Sergeant Gray from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) condemned the incident in strong terms.
"Everyone has the right to live their life free from the threat of violence and this brutal attack will leave the victim with lasting physical and psychological trauma."The officer further emphasized that
"There is no justification for this criminal brutality."
The PSNI has launched an investigation into the shooting and is actively seeking information from members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or have knowledge of those responsible. Detectives are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was in the area between Ballyreagh Way and Fairfield Court at the time of the attack, or who may have information about the vehicle used to transport the victim.
What happens next
The police have made a public appeal for witnesses and anyone with relevant information to come forward. Those with details about the incident are encouraged to contact the PSNI directly or provide information through independent crime-reporting channels.
