Murder inquiry follows shooting

Mr Allen was shot by masked gunmen at his flat

A murder investigation is under way in County Antrim following a shooting incident in which a man died.

John Allen, 31, was shot in the head and legs at a flat in Rashee Park, Ballyclare, at about 0230 GMT on Saturday.

After hearing a knock at the front door Mr Allen's half brother Aaron, who sometimes stayed with him, opened the front door.

Two masked men pushed past him and fired several shots from a handgun.

Mr Allen was taken to Antrim Area Hospital but died a few hours later.

The police say they are following a number of lines of inquiry but as yet have no motive for the attack.

They have not ruled out paramilitary involvement.

Chief inspector Sturgeon described the attack as a "heinous crime"

Chief inspector Colin Sturgeon described the attack as a "heinous crime".

"I am not really interested in what the victim may or may not have done or what people think of him," he said.

"I am interested in catching the people who murdered him."

John Allen was described by his family as "a hard working man who never bothered anyone".

They have blamed the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force for the killing.

Security Minister Jane Kennedy condemned the murder as "a brutal act".

She urged anyone with any information about the murder to contact the police.