Murder probe launched after fatal shooting in Waringstown
A man was shot dead outside a petrol station in the County Down town last night
Last updated 20th Aug 2019
A murder investigation has been launched after a man was found shot dead at a petrol station in Co Down.
The incident took place in Main Street in the village of Waringstown on Monday night.
The victim has been named locally as 54 year old Malcolm McKeown. He was found dead in his car parked at the rear of the filling station just before 9pm.
It is understood the incident is not initially being linked to dissident republican activity.
The area remained sealed off on Tuesday morning, with police in attendance.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Shaw said: "The man was found in his vehicle, which was parked at the rear of a filling station on Main Street in the village.
"Our inquiries are at a very early stage and I am appealing for anyone with information that could potentially assist our investigation to please get in touch by calling 101.
"Or alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.''
DUP leader Arlene Foster said the shooting appeared to be linked to a criminal gang.
"It was disturbing and very worrying last night, it does appear it is the work of a criminal gang and we do call on everyone in the area and wider to work with the police service to try to bring these people to justice, it is very concerning,'' she told BBC Radio Ulster.
"Waringstown is a very quiet village, a village where people get up in the morning and go to their work, come home in the evening and look after their children, and to be confronted with this is a real shock for them.''
Our Chief Reporter Damien Edgar was in the town overnight and says sources have told him an early line of investigation for police may end up revolving around a drugs connection.There are even reports that Dublin drug gangs may have had some involvement in this murder.
A burnt out car was discovered on Glenavon Lane in Lurgan shortly after the fatal shooting and that may also feature in the police probe.
The SDLP's Upper Bann Assembly member Dolores Kelly said: "The local community is in shock this evening after the violent murder of a man in a shooting in Waringstown.
"This is a quiet, settled village and people are appalled that violence has been brought on to their streets.
"I would appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area at around 10pm this evening to come forward and assist police with their investigation.''
DUP Assembly member Carla Lockhart urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
"It is shocking at any time for someone to be shot in the constituency but more so in somewhere like Waringstown,'' she said.
"It is a generally quiet village with a thriving population and I would condemn this in the strongest terms.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family caught up in this incident and would appeal to anyone with information to come forward to the police.''
The shooting has also been condemened by DUP Upper Bann MLA Carla Lockhart. She's calling on anyone with information to speak to the PSNI.
“It is shocking at anytime for someone to be shot in the constituency but more so in somewhere like Waringstown. It is a generally quiet village with a thriving population and I would condemn this in the strongest terms.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family caught up in this incident and would appeal to anyone with information to come forward to the Police."