Man murdered in gun attack

A baby was asleep in an adjoining room

A man has been shot dead in Bangor in County Down.

Police investigating the incident in which the 28-year-old died are treating it as murder.

The shooting took place in the St Gallen Court area of Bangor in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A baby was asleep in an adjoining room at the time of the killing.

I think it's another tragedy that we have another murder on the streets of Northern Ireland

Detective Chief Inspector Roy McComb

The crime scene is close to the town's Skipperstone Road.

The victim was shot twice in the head.

Neighbours reported hearing an ambulance at about 0400 GMT.

It is understood the victim was a single man who lived in Bangor.

He was a guest at a party at the house and was shot dead in the bathroom.

'More shocking'

The police said they do not believe the murder is linked to loyalist feud.

Detective Chief Inspector Roy McComb said a definite motive had not yet been established.

Detective Chief Inspector Roy McComb: "Keep my options open"

"It would be unwise of me to speculate as to the motive that led someone to take the life of an innocent 28-year-old man," he said.

"But I have to keep my options open and whether this is paramilitary crime or some other motive, the fact is that I am dealing with a death that should not have occurred."

Police have interviewed some of those at the party, but want to speak to others also there.

Mr McComb said the fact a baby was asleep in the house at the time made the murder all the more shocking.

"I think it's another tragedy that we have another murder on the streets of Northern Ireland but the fact that a 28-year-old man's life has been taken whilst in a house where a young child is sleeping makes it all the more sad and poignant," he added.

Police in Bangor have appealed for information about the incident and asked anyone who was in the St Gallen Court area at the time of the shooting to contact them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 028 91454444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.