Gunman knocked door and shot victim in chest
Police say the North Belfast incident was attempted murder
A 51-year-old man has been shot in the chest by a gunman who knocked on the front door of his home to summon him.
Police say the attack on the 51-year-old in North Belfast's Mount Vernon Park is being treated as an attempted murder.
Detective Inspector Michael McDonnell said: “Police received a report of a shooting incident last night, around 8.50pm. We believe a gunman got out of a car, approached an address in Mount Vernon Park and knocked the front door.
“As the victim opened it, he was shot once in the chest with what we believe was a handgun, through the door of the house. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment: his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.
“This was a reckless and callous act, and certainly an attempt to kill this man in cold blood. There were four other people in the house at the time of the shooting who could have easily been caught up in the violence.
“The person or people who carried out this murderous attempt had no regard for any of them - or for the neighbours and local people who were in the area, enjoying the late evening sunshine.
“We believe that the gunman got out of a black-coloured three-door Renault Clio with distinctive, heavily-tinted rear windows. We are interested in tracing its movements between 7pm and 10pm last night in the vicinity of the Mount Vernon area.
“Anyone with dashcam footage of this vehicle being driven in the Mount Vernon area between these times or with any other information about the car should contact detectives immediately on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number 1901 24/04/21.
North Belfast DUP MLA William Humphrey said he is "shocked and appalled".
"I hope that the victim's injuries are not life-threatening and that he will be able to make a full and speedy recovery.
“This constituency has suffered enough over the years. We neither want nor need this criminal activity on our streets and it must be ended," he said, adding that witnesses should contact police.
Sinn FĂ©in MLA Gerry Kelly has also condemned the shooting.