Bangor murder victim fled Carrick after fears for his life
A loyalist shot dead in front of his young son in a supermarket car park had recently relocated to the area amid concerns he would be targeted in a paramilitary feud.
Last updated 29th May 2017
Colin Horner, from Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, was gunned down by a lone gunman among crowds of shoppers outside the Sainsbury's superstore on the outskirts of Bangor, Co Down.
Mr Horner, 35, was an associate of fellow Carrickfergus loyalist George Gilmore, who was shot dead in the town in March.
The 44-year-old was killed as part of a long-running feud among rival loyalists in Carrickfergus.
Facing similar threats to his life, it is understood Mr Horner relocated from Carrickfergus to Bangor
Mr Horner's young son witnessed his father's murder on Sunday afternoon.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it was lucky the youngster was not killed or seriously injured as well.
There were reports of a confrontation before the killer fired four to six bullets at his victim.
The victim was targeted next to a black SUV type vehicle on the edge of the supermarket car park and detectives believe that there may have been more than 100 witnesses to the shooting and the aftermath.
PSNI Superintendent Brian Kee described the murder as brutal, senseless and horrendous and warned of the psychological trauma the man's son has suffered.
This cold blooded murder was carried out in broad daylight in front of families who were out enjoying this Bank Holiday weekend,'' he said.
The recklessness of this murder is all too evident.
It is beyond belief that the gunman shot the victim when he was out with his son.
This young boy witnessed everything and he will undoubtedly carry that memory for the rest of his life.''
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Richard Campbell said they were looking for help tracing the movements of the gunman and Colin Horner.
“James Colin Horner, known as Colin, was shot and fatally wounded yesterday afternoon, in the car park of Sainsbury’s supermarket in Bangor," he said.
"He was 35 years old and with his 3 year old son at the time of the shooting.
"It was hugely barbaric act and something that will undoubtedly live with this young boy for the rest of his life."
"My specific appeal lines relate to the vehicle he was driving when he left his partner’s home in the Balloo Road area of Bangor around 1.30pm.
"He was driving a black Nissan Pulsar car, registration XFZ 4706 and arrived in the car park around 2.30pm.
"I am keen to trace his movements during that one hour period.
"I am also keen to establish the movements of a red Ford Mondeo car which was seen speeding away from the scene around 2.50pm just after Mr Horner was shot.
"I believe one of its occupants was wearing a dark hoodie type top mask with possibly a dust mask covering his face.
"This vehicle bore the registration GKZ 7996 but we have established these were false number plates. It was later found burnt out at Kerrs Road, in the Six Road Ends area of Bangor, close to a local equestrian centre.
"There may have been another vehicle which ferried the gunman and his accomplice away from Kerrs Road. I need help to establish what that vehicle was.
"I would urge anyone who may have seen any of these vehicles to contact us.
"I would urge anyone who may have mobile phone footage, dash-cam footage or local businesses in the area with CCTV footage to come forward to detectives in Bangor."