Moment rioter's attempt to shoot bazooka-style firework at PSNI backfires

Sunday World

11 hours ago

We were told the converted firework is capable of firing up to 40 tracer rounds in a matter of seconds.
This is the moment a rioter fired a Bazooka-style firework at police during another night of violence in northern Ireland.
But he only succeeded in flooring many of his mates - because his home-made weapon was facing the wrong way!
Dozens of loyalists faced down riot squad police outside Robinson's Bar in the Edgarstown district of Portadown in Co Armagh on Friday night.
And a serious accident was narrowly averted when a masked man wearing a grey-coloured tack suit pulled the trigger on his hand-held device, causing dozens of fellow rioters to race for cover for fear of being hit or badly burned.
Onlookers screamed in horror as molten metal and red hot sparks rained down on them from above.
We were told the converted firework is capable of firing up to 40 tracer rounds in a matter of seconds.
Footage of the shocking incident
But the would-be Bazooka warrior pictured here, was totally oblivious to the carnage he left in his wake, as he continued to race at police lines.
An eye-witness, who lives opposite the pub told us: 'If it wasn't so serious, it would have been funny.
'One man running at the police with a 40 shot firework cleared the street quicker than the riot squad. But he didn't realise it was back to front and his pals were falling like nine pins.' he said.
Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 14 2025
In a statement the PSNI said: 'The Police Service of Northern Ireland came under attack during a fifth consecutive night of disorder which has resulted in more arrests and officers injured.
Over sixty officers have now been injured as a result of protecting the community from the ongoing disorder this week.
Disorder and violence broke out in Portadown with officers coming under sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks thrown at them. Officers used various public order tactics including water canon to keep the public safe with no reports of injury to the public or damage to property.'
The spokesperson said two males, aged 14 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remained in custody this evening.
Footage of the shocking incident
'Police in Derry/Londonderry dealt with disorder in the Tullyally area over the course of several hours on Friday night, 13 June into this morning, Saturday 14 June. A police vehicle was damaged, with the front window smashed.
Police made one arrest at around 2.20am. This male remains in custody at this time.
Damage was caused to playing fields and property in the Killeavey Road area of Newry as a large group set a pitch and bins on fire. One 14-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of riot.'
Stones were thrown at the windows of a hotel in the Newtownabbey area and a car was set on fire in the Hesketh Gardens area of Belfast, which we are treating a racially motivated hate crime."
Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: 'It's deeply disturbing to see such young members of our communities involved in and in some areas driving criminal activity like this.
'I would appeal directly to parents and guardians to speak to your children about the impact their behaviour is having on the safety of our local communities and the impact this could have on their lives if arrested, charged and prosecuted.
'We continue to have a heightened presence in our local communities to de-escalate violence and we are making arrests and will continue to make public appeals with photos of suspects. Do you want your child, family member or friend directly associated with this disorder in this way? These actions are not without serious consequence.
'I am so grateful to our frontline officers who continue to put themselves at risk in protecting everyone from this hate motivated criminality.
'To those posting hate on social media, inciting disorder or being seen to commit disorder we are actively investigating what you have said and what you have been captured doing. We have an ongoing physical and online presence.'
He said police have already released images of four individuals they want to identify and interview in connection with the investigation.
'In releasing these images, 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,' he said.
'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.
'It is important to know over the remainder of this weekend the public will continue to see a large policing presence across Northern Ireland to reassure our communities and protect our streets. This will include the deployment of Mutual Aid resources from Scotland. These officers, trained to work in our environment, will be working side by side with their PSNI colleagues.
"We repeat, once more, our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days."
Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI25U11-PO1
A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/