Moneymore shooting: Police still trying to establish motive for attack

The 22-year-old was found slumped inside a vehicle on the Carndaisy Road by a passer-by at around 9.50pm. He had sustained a gunshot wound to his head.

He was rushed to Antrim Area Hospital for treatment and was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

On Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Belfast Health Trust described his condition as “critically ill”.

Speaking to the Mid Ulster Mail, a PSNI spokesman said investigating officers are still working to establish a motive for the shooting.

Urging witnesses to come forward, Detective Chief Inspector Will Tate said: “I would appeal to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the Carndaisy Road area of Moneymore on the evening of Friday, March 9, or anyone who has information which may be of assistance to police enquiries to contact detectives at Cookstown on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1484 09/03/18.”

Also appealing for anyone with information to contact police, UUP Councillor Trevor Wilson said the shooting had left the local community in a state of shock.

“People in the local area are shocked that something like this has occurred here,” he said. “It is a very worrying development and I would appeal to anyone with any information about what happened to report it to the PSNI.”

Adding his “total condemnation” of the shooting, Councillor Mark Glasgow said: “Moneymore is a quiet place and very peaceful. It’s a great wee community and I’ve never heard of anything like this happening there before.

“There is no place for guns on any street. Society has moved on from the time when we heard about gun attacks all too often and I would urge anyone with information about this incident to contact police.”

Information about the incident can also be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.