Anger after man shot near school

The man was shot near a high school

A man remains in a stable condition in hospital after being shot opposite a school in Londonderry's Galliagh area.

The gun attack happened in Bloomfield Park at about 1505 BST on Thursday as pupils were leaving St Brigid's High School.

Masked men approached the 27-year-old and shot him in both knees. He was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital.

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward and said they are keeping an "open mind" on the motive.

One resident said the victim's nephew saw his uncle being treated by paramedics.

"The wee boy recognised his uncle he was very distraught he got away and went over and was actually sitting down beside his uncle and was holding his hand," she said.

"I went over, brought him away, took him in here and somebody phoned his mammy."

Condemned

Another woman said that it had been a terrifying incident.

"The fact that it happened on our own doorstep is a bit frightening - we thought we were all behind this but it doesn't look like it," she said.

PSNI Inspector David McFetridge said it was a "cold and callous attack".

"Frankly it beggars belief that anyone could carry out this kind of attack in broad daylight when children are coming from school," he said.

SDLP Foyle assembly member Mary Bradley condemned the shooting.

"This type of behaviour is a long time out of date. The community doesn't want it and doesn't need it. I urge people with any information to contact the police," she said.