Woman and two children shot dead in horror attack

Yahoo

4 days ago

A woman and two children killed in a shooting in Northern Ireland are understood to be a mother, son and daughter, according to PA.
The tragic incident took place on Wednesday morning (July 23) in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service confirming it received a 999 call at 8.21am.
Police superintendent Robert McGowan confirmed that officers attended a house in the Drummeer Road area.
READ MORE: The 10 best mobile games you can play for free - and number 1 will surprise you
READ MORE: 5 retro RPGs you can play right now guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again - you won't have heard of one of them
Speaking later on Wednesday, Mr McGowan said: 'Tragically, despite best medical efforts, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Sadly, I can confirm that a third person has this afternoon passed away in hospital.
'The fourth person, who was taken to hospital, remains in a condition described as serious.
'All four had sustained gunshot wounds and I can confirm that all four individuals are from the same household.'
Mr McGowan said the incident was ongoing when police arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning.
'It just happened prior to police attending, so, as you can appreciate, it's a very harrowing scene for all involved,' he told reporters.
'So, not only police officers, but colleagues in the ambulance service, and family members. Without going into detail, it's a very harrowing scene for anybody to attend.'
He added: 'There is limited domestic history involving the people concerned and that is certainly one line of inquiry that the detectives will take forward.'
He said the alarm was raised by a phone call made from the house where the incident was taking place.
'I am keen first and foremost to express my sympathy to the family members and loved ones who are today left in total shock and who will struggle to come to terms with their unimaginable loss,' he added.
'Detectives have now commenced a murder investigation and are working at pace to determine the circumstances.
'This is a quiet rural location and I'm aware that this tragic event will have sent shockwaves of sadness throughout the community.'
Speaking at the scene, local MP Pat Cullen said she was 'shocked to the core' and 'heartbroken' at the incident.
'It's such a tragedy to hear that a mother and two wee children have lost their lives here today, and another person seriously injured,' the Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative told PA.
'It's just devastating news, devastating for the people of Maguiresbridge, a really close-knit community that I have got to know so well over the last year, just people that are the salt of the earth.
'I'm also thinking of all the wee school friends of those two wee children and what that must feel like for all of them and how the next few days and weeks will be for everyone, particularly just at the beginning of the school holidays.'
She added: 'I think out of respect for the families alone it is so important that we give space now to the police to carry out their investigation.
'Speculation doesn't get us anywhere, it's time now to come together and wrap ourselves around this community and give them all the care and attention that they need and deserve.'
Local MLA Deborah Erskine said there was 'a deep sense of shock and distress' in the 'close-knit, quiet, rural' community.
'I know having spoken to people within the community today, they are shocked, but the foremost thoughts are with the family,' she said at the scene.
'This family has had their lives completely and utterly turned upside down within a matter of hours today.'
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Justice Minister Naomi Long also urged against online speculation and appealed for privacy for the families and friends of those who had died.
In a joint statement, they said: 'We are horrified and heartbroken to learn of the tragedy that has occurred in Maguiresbridge today.
'We send our deepest sympathies to the families affected and to the wider community in County Fermanagh.
'The shock of this terrible event is being felt by many people and we would urge those in need of support to reach out.
'We wish to commend the work of first responders and the emergency services. Those who work in the front line are the best of us and we value their tremendous dedication and compassion at this most awful of times for families and the community.
'We would appeal for privacy for the families and friends of those who have died and would caution against speculation online as the PSNI continues its investigation.'