Attempted murder of police officer in Dungannon
12 Nov 2007
An off duty police officer was shot in Dungannon on Monday 12 November .
The officer was leaving Dungannon police station and was stopped at traffic lights on the Circular Road where he was shot a number of times. The police officer has sustained a serious shoulder injury but is in a stable condition in hospital.
District Commander, Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce said "This was an attempted murder of one of my officers. He is in his early thirties, single, has given 11 years of service to the police and the community. He is currently in a stable condition in hospital after being seriously injured. The officer had just left Dungannon station having just completed a days work and was travelling along the Circular Road at around 5.30pm. He was stopped at lights outside the Chapel when a gunman fired a number of shots and seriously injured him. The officer had the presence of mind to recover and drive to the station where he crashed into the front gates and received medical help from colleagues. He was then taken to hospital.
"This incident took place at 5.30pm, so there would have been a lot of witnesses in the area. I would appeal for those witnesses to come forward.
"I know the vast majority of people in Dungannon do not want to go back to the 'bad old days'. There is a decision to be made. We need people to come forward and help us. Someone out there knows who committed this despicable crime. I know that a number of witnesses have already come forward, but there are more who owe it to the community to assist us. We have seen relative peace in this country for a number of years and we are looking to a brighter future. A decision has to be made to put and end to this.
"I am concerned about the safety of all my officers, but this will not prevent them from carrying out their daily job in serving the community – they are determined and resolute in that.
"I know that the people we are dealing with here are a very small number of disillusioned people, and they have nowhere to go. I know the good people of Dungannon will help bring them before the courts where they will be dealt with. Be assured, no stone will go unturned in this investigation."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Dungannon on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by telephoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
