Two shootings in two days have escalated tensions within Belfast’s Travelling community.
The first shooting too place on Thursday morning around 9am. Martin Gavin, a member of the Travelling community, was shot dead while in the car with his wife in Rosnareen Avenue.
Two men dressed as council workers approached the black Vauxhall that Mr Gavin was travelling in and shot him through the window of the car. Mr Gavin is recovering from his injuries in Royal Victoria Hospital.
It is believed that the attack may have been the result of a feud within the Traveller community, and the weapon used in the attack may have been a shotgun. Two men were arrested by the PSNI following the shooting.
The second shooting happened yesterday. A lone gunman attacked a van with three men inside it around 4:15pm.
“A man ran out from behind the shops, pulled out a gun and began shooting at a white van, which was parked in front of the shops.
“There were loads of children playing right where the attacker began shooting. He could have shot one of the children, it could easily have been fatal,” an eyewitness said.
It is believed that the two incidents are linked.
Detective Inspector Mary White commented on the incidents: “Three men were in the van at the time of the shooting, but all, thankfully, escaped without injury.
“The attacker left the scene on foot following the incident and enquiries are currently ongoing to establish a motive for the shooting.”