AN elderly man was shot five times by a group of masked men who broke into his home last night.
Detectives are urging people to come forward with information following reports of a shooting in the Coleraine area of Derry.
Reports were made shortly after 7.50pm that a number of masked men had broken into the home of a man in his 70s.
The man, whose property was located in the Ballygallin Park area of the town, was assaulted during the incident.
He has since been taken to hospital for treatment.
It was discovered there that he had been shot five times in the arm and legs.
The man also sustained injuries to his head and torso.
PSNI officers confirmed that his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Detective Inspector Lavery said in a statement: “Shortly after 7.50pm, we received a report that a number of men, wearing balaclavas, had broken into a residential property in the Ballygallin Park area of the town and assaulted the resident, a man aged in his 70s.
“When the man was taken to hospital for treatment, it was established that he had been shot five times in the arm and legs.
“He had also sustained injuries to his head and torso.
“At this time, the injuries he received are thankfully not thought to be life-threatening.”
Lavery has condemned the assault, saying there is “no place” for such violence in Northern Irish society.
He then called for witnesses to come forward with any information, urging anyone with CCTV or other camera footage to bring it to their attention.
WITNESS APPEAL
Detective Inspector Lavery continued: “It’s absolutely appalling that an elderly person should be attacked in their own home in this way.
“There is no place in our society for vigilantism and we are fortunate that the outcome was not much more serious.
“Our enquiries are at an early stage and we would appeal for anyone with information in relation to this incident to contact us.
“If you saw or heard anything suspicious, or have CCTV or other footage which could assist our investigation, please call our detectives can be contacted on 101, quoting reference number 1450 of 30/01/25.”
Any witnesses can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
If preferred, information can be reported anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
