Investigators revisit scene where PSNI officer was shot, pleading for more information – The Irish Times | Pro IQRA News

Detectives in Northern Ireland revisited the scene of the attempted assassination of Chief Inspector John Caldwell a week later.

Mr Caldwell was shot several times last Wednesday night at a sports center in Killyclogher Road in Omagh in Co Tyrone.

He remains in a critical but stable condition and a senior investigator said the past week had been “extreme torture” for his family.

Earlier on Wednesday, police arrested two more people in connection with the shooting. A 33-year-old man was arrested in Omagh and a 57-year-old man in Belfast. Both were arrested under the Terrorism Act and taken to the Musgrave Crime Suite in Belfast for questioning. The two were still in custody, along with a third man, a 47-year-old, late Wednesday night.

A fourth, a 71-year-old man, was released after being questioned. On Tuesday, the police released four more men who were being questioned.

Police said they believe the shooting was carried out by the newly minted Republican Ira.

Officers visited the scene on Wednesday night and spoke to drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

Outpost Chief Supt Eamon Corrigan said: “Today, March 1, is a week since this horrific attack took place.

It was last Wednesday night, around 8pm, that John was shot by gunmen as he was packing his belongings after a youth soccer team practice.

John was hit several times, and when he fell to the ground, the gunmen kept shooting at him.

“This cowardly attempt at extermination took place amid terrified children and parents and, disturbingly, in front of John’s young son.

Any number of adults or children could easily be seriously injured or killed.

“We will work relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice and tonight our officers have returned to the scene.

We have been distributing appeal flyers. We have spoken with pedestrians, drivers and passengers, made extensive house to house inquiries… John remains in hospital in critical but stable condition.

“This past week has been an agonizing one for John’s loving family, and indeed his wide circle of friends and colleagues.

“I’m asking you to stop and imagine, just for a second, how you would feel if this happened to your loved one.

“And I ask you to search your conscience and provide any information, no matter how trivial it may seem.”

Earlier this week, officers released CCTV footage of the vehicle used by the attackers, a blue Ford Fiesta, registration number MGZ 6242.

and was fitted with false panels, FRZ 8414, prior to the attack.

The footage shows the car leaving the sports complex after the shooting.

It turns left onto Killyclogher Road and is later found abandoned and burnt on Racolpa Road.

Corrigan said he wanted to rehearse the memories, and implored members of the public to look at the footage.

It also highlighted a reward of up to £20,000 from CrimeStoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Caldwell’s attempted murder. – PA