6 days ago
Carlow ‘active shooter' suspected of using stolen shotgun as van & properties combed for clues in latest probe details
TROUBLED shooter Evan Fitzgerald is suspected of using a stolen shotgun when he stormed a shopping centre at the weekend.
The Irish Sun can reveal
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Evan Fitzgerald is suspected of using a stolen shotgun when he stormed a shopping centre
Credit: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
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Gardai are probing if the weapon was taken the day before the 'terrifying' incident
Credit: Gary Ashe - The Sun Dublin
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Officers are also trying to establish his movements in the hours before the shooting
Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Although Fitzgerald, 22, was from Portrushen, Kiltegan,
Fitzgerald - who wasn't part of any organised
He turned the gun on himself after cops identified themselves as 'armed gardai'.
As the investigation continues, we can also reveal that officers seized a van as part of their bid to establish a motive for Fitzgerald's actions.
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One source said: 'A gun was reported missing before the incident and the matter is now being investigated.
'Fitzgerald was
'Gardai are also examining a van he had access to on the day of the incident.'
The terrifying event saw Fitzgerald firing shots into the air during a 10-minute period of chaos.
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At no time did he point his gun at gardai or terrified shoppers as they ran for cover.
Officers are also trying to establish his movements in the hours before the shooting.
HUNT FOR MOTIVE
Searches of two properties linked to the 'active shooter' also continued yesterday.
Officers are trying to find any evidence of his motive.
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They are also examining electronic devices and trying to uncover evidence of his online activity.
Detectives also believe he was acting alone and they have spoken with two friends of the deceased who have helped with their ongoing inquiries.
MAIN THEORY
Gardai are satisfied he did not intend to harm any members of the public, frontline gardai or emergency workers.
The main theory is that he planned to take his own life in public.
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Investigators will speak to his friends and family over the coming days as part of their efforts to establish his mindset in recent weeks.
One theory is that he may have been struggling with his 13 firearms charges and a separate case of another close associate.
'VERY TROUBLED'
The source added: 'The concern is that this young man was very troubled and a number of factors may have contributed to a fragile mental state.
'He was clearly firing shots into the air and had only intended to harm himself.'
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Fitzgerald was described in Naas District Court as 'young and naive' after he was charged with possession of a handgun, an automatic rifle and over 40 rounds of ammunition.
The items were bought on the Darknet.
'A HOBBY'
At the time of his arrest in March 2024, the court heard how he was stopped in a car in an operation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Emergency Response Unit.
During the court hearing, Det Gda Gavin Curran said he believed the guns were to be used as 'a hobby' and fired in a wooded area.
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He was stopped near Straffan in Co Kildare before gardai recovered a M1911 pistol, an automatic Koch G3 rifle and the ammo.
He was also charged with possessing explosive substances.
GARDA APPEAL
Fitzgerald was due to receive his book of evidence at a court today.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Anthony Farrell last night issued an appeal, saying: 'Gardai in Carlow wish to speak to anyone who is in the Fairgreen shopping centre or vicinity of its car park between 6pm and 6.30pm on Sunday last in connection with a serious shooting incident.
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'Whether people observed anything of relevance or not, please contact gardai in Carlow on 059 91 36620.'
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Searches of two properties linked to the 'active shooter' also continued
Credit: Gary Ashe - The Sun Dublin
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Fitzgerald was charged with possession of a handgun, an automatic rifle and over 40 rounds of ammunition
Credit: Garda/PA Wire
