Investigation after police shooting

The dead man was travelling in the red Vauxhall car

The Police Ombudsman's office is investigating the death of a man shot by the police near Lisburn in County Antrim.

The man who died was Neil John McConville, 21, from Bleary in Craigavon.

Police said they opened fire after trying to stop a car which struck two officers at about 1900 BST on Tuesday at Ballinderry Upper.

It is understood that police officers attempted to stop a vehicle following suspicious activity on the Crumlin Road.

The police said the car failed to stop at the junction of Crumlin Road and Ogales Road, where it struck two police officers. Shots were fired, hitting two men.

One man was critically injured, and later died after being taken to Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn.

There is some sort of weapon in the vehicle but it is the subject of a full and thorough investigation

David Wood
Chief Investigator

The second man is being treated at Craigavon Area Hospital for gunshot wounds to his arm, where his condition is described as stable.

One of the police officers sustained injuries to his back, legs and right arm, and has since been discharged after being treated at Lagan Valley Hospital.

The Police Ombudsman's office said it was the first time it had been called in to examine a death involving a shooting by the police.

Its Chief Investigator, David Wood, went to the scene of the shooting.

"It appears there is a weapon in the vehicle," he said.

"We have not checked because we have not done the full forensic work on that to identify the type of weapon or indeed if it is a live or real weapon.

"There is some sort of weapon in the vehicle but it is the subject of a full and thorough investigation into how it got there and exactly what happened this evening."

Investigation

The chief investigating officer refused to comment on whether a special police operation had been mounted.

He said: "These matters will be fully and thoroughly investigated. The police will be doing a separate investigation as to any offences these men and others may or may not have been involved in."

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said: "Whilst any death is regrettable, clearly we don't yet know the circumstances surrounding this shooting incident.

"But I have no doubt that the police have acted in a proper manner in this incident and that will be proven by any investigation conducted by the Police Ombudsman."

The SDLP's Patricia Lewsley called for the police officers involved to be suspended pending an investigation.

"This is a very serious incident and I will be calling for any police personnel involved in this to be suspended immediately pending an inquiry."