Man in critical condition after north Belfast shooting

A man has been left in a critical condition following a shooting in north Belfast.

The victim in his 20s was shot in the stomach and had a number of facial injuries following an incident in the New Lodge area around 1.30am on Saturday morning.

His condition is described as critical but stable.

Detective Sergeant Corrigan said: “When we arrived at the scene, we found that a man in his 20s had sustained a gun-shot wound to the abdomen and had facial injuries. He was treated at the scene by NIAS and transferred to hospital.

“We are currently working to establish the exact circumstances of this incident and would appeal to anyone who was in this area, around 1.30am and saw what happened, to get in touch with us on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 94 of 15/9/18.

“The man is currently being treated in hospital for his injuries".

Sinn Féin Councillor JJ Magee has condemned those responsible.

Cllr Magee said:

“The people of the New Lodge are concerned that trouble has spilled over into the streets and caused disturbance to local businesses and homes.

“There can be no place for guns on our streets.

“Details of that attack are still emerging, but I wish the man injured a speedy recovery and clearly this incident could have had even more disastrous consequences.

“I am calling on anyone with information on either of these attacks to bring it forward to the PSNI.”