Shooting of 25-year-old man in College Square North probably carried out by Republican group, Guardian told
A west Belfast man has been shot dead in what appears to have been a paramilitary-style assassination. The victim was named locally as Christy Mackin, originally from the Whiterock area of the city.
He was shot repeatedly at close range at around 9.30pm in College Square North, close to Belfast city centre. Ambulance crews arrived at the scene and took him to the nearby Royal Victoria Hospital but he died later.
Republican sources in Belfast told the Guardian that it was likely a republican organisation had targeted the 25-year-old over alleged drug dealing. Locals living in flats in the area reported that up to seven shots were fired during the attack.
Alliance Party Assembly member Anna Lo condemned those behind the shooting. She said: "I am shocked to hear of the brutal and vicious attack on this man.
"I really do not know what would go through the mind of people who carry out attacks such as this shooting. Guns have absolutely no place on our streets.
"The people responsible for this gun attack are obviously very callous and dangerous individuals and must be urgently apprehended by the police, so I would urge anybody with any information about this shooting to contact the police."A man has been seriously wounded in a shooting in central Belfast.
The incident happened around half past nine9.30pm tonight in the College Square North area of the city. Eyewitnesses said the man was hit several times during the gun attack.
A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said the victim had been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. The Police Service of Northern Ireland have has asked the public to avoid the area at this time
The victim, who is still seriously ill, is believed to be in his mid 20s.