Long: Gunfire could have had tragic consequences
Date published:
The sight of masked men brandishing weapons is a dark and depressing hallmark of our past and that is where it must stay, Justice Minister Naomi Long has said.
Police in the Derry City & Strabane district have appealed for information following an incident which occurred on Friday night in Ardfoyle, just off Bishop Street. Video footage circulating on social media showed masked men firing shots into the air.
Naomi Long said: “It beggars belief that anyone would be as reckless as to fire shots in to the air near homes and where people, including young children, were standing close by.
“This was a planned and calculated act, with no care whatsoever for what could have been potentially tragic consequences if any of the bullets fired had ricocheted or strayed in to the crowd.
“There is simply no justification or excuse to bring guns on to the streets. The sight of masked men brandishing weapons is a dark and depressing hallmark of our past and that is where it must stay. What we saw on Friday evening was an utterly disgraceful and unacceptable incident, and those behind it simply do not care about who they hurt within their own community.
“I would urge anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org.”
Notes to editors:
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