Gun pointed at man during vehicle hijacking in Antrim
A man had a gun pointed at his face and was struck with the weapon during a vehicle hijacking in Co Antrim.
Detectives are appealing for information about the incident which occurred shortly after 10pm on Saturday near commercial premises on the O'Neill Road in Newtownabbey.
Advertisement
Two men reported seeing another two males looking inside the van they had been travelling in as they left the premises.
Our detectives are appealing for witnesses following a hi-jacking in the O'Neill Road area of Newtownabbey last night.
https://t.co/FfSuUcudxF
pic.twitter.com/UwaSxcB5Qn
— Police Antrim and Newtownabbey (@PSNIANDistrict)
June 15, 2025
A PSNI spokesperson said: 'When challenged, one of the males ran towards one of the men and demanded the keys to the vehicle.
'When the man refused to give him them, the suspect pointed a handgun in his face, before striking him on the top of the head with the weapon, and taking the keys from him.
'Both suspects then made off in the van.'
Advertisement
The man armed with the handgun is described as being approximately six feet in height, of athletic build, and dressed in dark coloured clothing and a balaclava.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, and quote reference number 1630 of 14/06/25.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Police are working 'night and day' to catch Ballymena rioters after alleged sex attack on local girl sparks violent disorder
Police are working 'night and day' to catch those involved in rioting in Northern Ireland following an alleged sex attack on a local girl. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has welcomed a reduction in disorder on Saturday night after several consecutive days of rioting and attacks on police officers. The force said there were only 'sporadic disturbances' on Saturday, including youths throwing stones in Lurgan and an attempt to attack a vehicle in Carrickfergus. Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: 'Our heightened presence in our local communities and continued community engagement to de-escalate violence continued last night, but thankfully, the situation was much calmer than we have seen in recent days. 'I issued a public plea to parent/guardians and families of young people who have been driving the criminal activity in some areas to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions. 'I am asking for continued conversations amongst local families to deter young people from criminalising themselves.' The disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest on Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties belonging to ethnic minorities. The PSNI described the scenes as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances in the County Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. The PSNI said officers dealt with some sporadic disturbances on Saturday, including an incident of attempted criminal damage to a vehicle in Carrickfergus. A 40-year-old man has been charged over the incident and will appear in court next month, Following a report of a group of people throwing bottles at addresses in Lurgan, two boys, aged 14 and 12, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage before being street bailed. Detectives investigating online posts relating to recent public disorder arrested a 32-year-old man in the Larne area on Saturday on suspicion of encouraging or assisting offences and possession of a class B controlled drug. He remains in custody. Ms Jones said: 'Our public order inquiry Team are working day and night to identify those who have been involved in the disorder over the last number of days. 'Our Chief Constable and other members of the senior team have been meeting with local community representatives of those affected over the weekend so we can support them as best we can and offer reassurance of our policing operation to restore calm. 'Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate. 'To date, we have made 24 arrests, 14 of which have resulted in individuals being charged to court. 'We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity.' She added: 'Sixty-four of our colleagues have been injured and I commend their bravery and determination. 'Their unwavering efforts over the last number of days have resulted in a reduction of disorder and I hope the local communities who have been targeted have felt the support of our frontline teams. 'To come under sustained attack when you are there to serve and protect all is disheartening to say the least. 'They have been steadfast in their commitment to restore peace and I am proud of them all.' Police have also released images of people they want to speak to in relation to the disturbances. Ms Jones said: 'I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us. 'It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward. 'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them you should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website. 'I would also like to reassure the communities that we serve that we will continue to maintain our presence and protect streets. 'We are grateful for the support of all who condemn this criminality and would, once more, repeat our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days.'
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Minnesota Senator's wife used body to shield daughter in horror attack as cops tighten net around suspect Vance Boelter
THE family of Minnesota Senator John Hoffman has revealed how his wife Yvette used her body as a shield when a gunman opened fire in their home. Both Hoffman and Yvette were seriously injured when they were targeted in an attempted assassination at their home in Champlin around 2 am on Saturday morning. 13 13 Less than two hours later, the gunman, suspected to be 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, shot and killed DFL speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at their home in Brooklyn Park. Hoffman, 60, and his wife underwent surgery at the Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and are stable. The pair were shot 11 times by the crazed gunman who posed as a police officer, their nephew Mat Ollig shared in an update on Facebook. He revealed how Yvette heroically threw herself in front of their daughter Hope to shield her from the bullets. Hope, who is in her 20s, was not injured in the horror attack. Senator Hoffman was shot six times and Yvette five, Ollig said. "My aunt threw herself on her daughter, using her body as a shield to save her life," he wrote. "They are both out of surgery and stable. These two are the kindest, most giving and caring people I know." He called the horror attack "a political act of terrorism" carried out by a "vile piece of s*** dressed as a cop". "I am beyond sick," Ollig wrote as he shared pictures of the family. 13 13 One of the bullets that struck Hoffman narrowly missed his heart, local outlet KARE11 reported. Images from the scene show the Hoffmans' front door riddled with bullet holes. Boelter was named as a suspect for the shootings on Saturday afternoon sparking a major manhunt. As the search continues into its second day, cops are tightening the net around the 57-year-old who allegedly wore a creepy latex mask when he gunned down his victims. They have located a vehicle of interest and the cowboy hat they believe Boelter was wearing when he was last seen in the Twin Cities area. These were found on Highway 25 roughly half way between Green Isle, where Boelter has a property, and Belle Plaine, KARE 11 reported. State patrol confirmed they found a black vehicle on the side of the road that is of interest in the hunt for the suspect. They also found a cowboy hat matching the one Boelter was seen wearing in the last CCTV footage of him lying in the open on the side of the road. About 100 yards away from the road, is a property that KARE 11 says has a major police presence around it as part of the manhunt. 13 13 13 13 It has not been confirmed if Boelter is still in the area. The FBI has issued a $50,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest and a conviction. Hours after the double shooting, at around 6 am, Boelter's roommate and best friend David Carlson received a string of chilling text messages from him in which Boelter said "I may be dead shortly". "I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while," he said to his friends David and Ron. "May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way." Officials have said that they believe Boelter may have been trying to flee. His wife Jenny was detained after a traffic stop during which cops found she was carrying weapons, cash, and passports, KTSP reported, citing law enforcement officials. She was not arrested and officers have warned that as the search continues, Boelter should be considered armed and dangerous. Officials have urged the public to send in tips and call 911 if they see him. 13 13 13
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Gunman on loose after killer in TERRIFYING Halloween mask launches political assassinations and friend reveals who he voted for
A Minnesota gunman is on the loose after terrifying images showed the alleged killer wearing a creepy Halloween-style mask before launching into a 'politically motivated assassination.' State Representative Melissa Hortman was shot along with fellow Democrat State Senator John Hoffman in a chilling assassination spree in the early hours of Saturday morning. Hortman and her husband were tragically killed, while Hoffman and his wife suffered serious injuries and were raced to emergency surgery, but officials say they are 'cautiously optimistic' they will recover. The suspect has been identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter - an employee of security company Praetorian Guard Security, where he works as the director of security patrols, according to the website. Chilling photos that emerged Saturday afternoon depict the suspect, who is still on-the-run, donning an unsettling costume mask covering his entire head. Police say Boelter wore the eerie face-concealing disguise with a police uniform as he posed as a cop and gunned down the lawmakers. FBI investigators believe the shootings were politically motivated and are offering a $50,000 reward to for information leading to his whereabouts. Boelter's best friend and roommate David Carlson told local news outlet KARE11 he is an avid Donald Trump supporter and voted for the Republican candidate. He also described the suspect as a Christian who opposes abortion. The night before the deadly shots were fired, Boelter texted his roommates he was 'going to be gone for a while.' Carlson, who shared a North Minneapolis home with Boelter, tearfully read aloud text messages from the accused assassin. 'David and Ron, I love you guys,' the eerie note began. 'I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while.' He also said he 'may be dead shortly' and did not wish to involve Carlson or his other roommate Ron Ramsey. 'I don't know why he did what he did,' Carlson told KARE 11. 'It's just it's not Vance. ... He had lots of friends, trust me, and I wish I could have been there to stop him.' The FBI believes Boelter is attempting 'to potentially flee' the Twin Cities - Minneapolis and St. Paul, The Washington Post reported. Minnesota authorities admitted they let the gunman slip away, despite engaging him in a firefight immediately after the murders at around 4am local time Saturday. The first shooting occurred just after 2am at Hoffman's home in Champlin, about 20 miles from Minneapolis. Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times and are reportedly stable following surgery. The second attack took place at around 4am at Hortman's Brooklyn Park residence, about eight miles south. He was later captured on security camera in Minneapolis wearing a cowboy hat. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect's vehicle - which was made to look like a cop car - contained a 'manifesto', a list of 70 targets including both lawmakers, and signs for an anti-Trump 'NO KINGS' rally set to be held on Saturday. A Minnesota official who has seen the suspect's 'hit list' told CNN that it specifically mentioned 'prominent pro-choice individuals in Minnesota, including many Democratic lawmakers who have been outspoken about pro-choice policy positions.' It was later revealed that the alarming list featured doctors, healthcare centers and Planned Parenthoods, The New York Times reported. Several former and current politicians, as well as Minnesota community and business leaders, were also listed. Some targets were reportedly out of state. Salt Lake County, Utah Mayor Jenny Wilson also expressed her heartbreak over the four victims of the shootings Authorities are in the process of going through that list and urgently alerting those who were named. The alleged shooter has armed security experience in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and North America through the Praetorian Guard Security Services, his biography on the site said. 'He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the US Military,' it read. 'Vance has focused all this experience to make sure Praetorian Guard Security Services covers the needs you have to keep your family and property safe.' Boelter has also lived a life of public service before today's tragedies, and he even served on the Governor's Workforce Development Board, which works closely with Walz to give advice on the state's workforce. He served on the board from June 2016 to June 2018 as a private sector representative and from December 2019 to January 2023 as a board member. Boelter served on the board alongside one of his victims, Hoffman. During a Saturday press conference, Walz spoke out about the alleged actions of his former appointee. 'Today Minnesota lost a great leader,' he said while discussing Hortman. 'Violence has no place in our political system — and it must end.' Members of Minnesota communities and beyond have been reeling as the frantic manhunt for shooting suspect Vance Boelter rages on. 'What happened today is simply incomprehensible and unimaginable, certainly in the context of Minnesota,' Norm Coleman, a former senator from Minnesota and former mayor of St. Paul, said, according to The New York Times. Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota also spoke out about the death of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, saying she was 'shattered' by the news. She and Senator Amy Klobuchar had just seen the victims at a dinner party on Friday night. Beyond Minnesota, Senator Chris Coons of Delaware has also shared a statement denouncing political violence in America. Salt Lake County, Utah Mayor Jenny Wilson expressed her heartbreak over the four victims of the shootings. 'My heart goes out to the family and friends of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were shot and killed in their home,' she wrote on X. 'My heart also goes out to State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. They, too, were shot while at home. I'm wishing them a quick and full recovery.' According to the Hoffmans' nephew, Mat Ollig, the couple will be bound to the hospital 'for a while,' The New York Times reported. 'It's just shocking that this would happen,' he reflected. In a text message to the outlet on Saturday night, Ollig revealed Yvette 'is awake and alert,' while his family is 'waiting to hear more about John.'
