Senior PSNI officer shot 'in front of young people by masked men ...
PSNI remain at the scene of the shooting of a police officer this morning in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
It's understood Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was 'shot a number of times by masked men in front of young people' he had been coaching at a sports centre.
The policeman’s identity was revealed by Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.
Read more: Attempted murder investigation launched after PSNI officer shot multiple times
In the early hours of the morning, police confirmed that an attempter murder investigation was launched after the incident on Wednesday night, February 22 in the Killyclogher Road area.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told Good Morning Ulster: "The officer's condition remains critical but stable. If I may just express my own and our shock and outrage at this disgusting attack against a police officer in a crowded space in front of parents and children.
"We are closely engaged with and supporting the family and in consultation with the family, I can at this stage confirm the officer is Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, a highly respected senior investigating officer who'll be familiar to many of you..."
Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan said: “The serving officer was shot a number of times at a sports complex in the Killyclogher Road area of Omagh, just before 8pm on Wednesday, 22nd February.
“He has been taken to hospital and is in a critical but stable condition.
“Our investigation is now underway and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed what happened or could help with our enquiries to make contact with police on 101 quoting reference number 1831 of 22/02/23.
“Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
Information, including photos, CCTV and dash-cam footage, can also be provided to police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk.
PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne said: "I am shocked and saddened by tonight’s events in Omagh.
“The officer is in a critical but stable condition in hospital. My thoughts are with him, his family and his colleagues.
“We will relentlessly pursue those responsible. They have nothing to offer the community.”
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Tom Elliott told Nolan Live on BBC One NI: "My understanding is he was coaching young people at a local sports complex and I think they were nearing the end of the session or maybe at the end of the session and there would obviously have been some of these young people around at that time and I am told that two masked gunmen walked up and shot him a number of times."
He added: "To see that happen in front of you for young people is indescribable almost, and I'm sure will have a lasting impact on them.
"At this stage clearly we're all thinking of this police officer and his immediate family and we're just hoping and praying that the officer will get better."
Chair of the Police Federation for NI, Liam Kelly said: “It’s understood two gunmen were involved in the attack. The injured officer was shot a number of times whilst he coached young persons playing football.
"This was a callous, cold-blooded and barbaric attempted murder on an off-duty officer. The officer is well-known and respected in the area and plays an active role in the community. He is also well-known within policing circles and is highly regarded by his colleagues.
"The people who carried out this cowardly and shocking act must be quickly identified and apprehended and I would appeal to the community to assist the police in whatever way they can.
"These criminals offer nothing but misery, suffering and heartache. They are bereft of any semblance of humanity. They won’t succeed in their evil mission to create lawlessness and anarchy, and we will do all we can to thwart and frustrate them.
"My thoughts, and those of all police officers, are with our colleague and his family. The police ‘family’ is strong and resilient, and we’ll be there for him and his family in this dreadful hour of need."
Follow our blog below for live updates.
08:52Nadia Breen
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan paid tribute to a "brave" member of the public who ran towards Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell during the attack and administered first aid, PA report.
"I would also like to thank our partners in the ambulance service. If it hadn't been for their quick action in getting John to hospital we might have been looking at something very different this morning," he told BBC Radio Ulster.
"But as I say, John is still in a critical condition."
He said police recognise the "huge shock and trauma" the attack has caused in the community in Omagh, adding that he wanted to thank them for their continued patience and support, PA report.
Mr McEwan said: "First and foremost, can I say as a police officer, it is shocking, horrific and a certain amount of anger that this is happening to one of our colleagues and friends.
"We are supporting our officers and staff. And as a member of the community it is again shocking, and I welcome the condemnation that we've seen across the community."
08:51Nadia Breen
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan was asked on BBC Radio Ulster if there is a concern for wider security and safety, and whether action would be taken to improve security for some police officers, PA report.
He replied: "On an ongoing basis, we see these elements continually trying to carry out attacks of this nature.
"We are supporting our officers and staff. We continually review our security arrangements and advise our officers on security arrangements and that's on an ongoing basis.
"The threat level at the moment sits at substantial and that means an attack is highly likely.
"That is an ongoing piece of work in terms of supporting our officers and staff and looking at security arrangements."
08:47Nadia Breen
08:39Nadia Breen
Dissident republican group the New IRA is the primary focus for detectives investigating the shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, PA report.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told BBC Radio Ulster: "We are keeping an open mind. There are multiple strands to that investigation. The primary focus is on violent dissident republicans and within that there is a primary focus as well on New IRA."
08:37Nadia Breen
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told BBC Radio Ulster: "Last night at approximately 8 o'clock at the youth sports centre in Killyclogher Road, Omagh, whilst John was putting footballs into the boot of his car, and accompanied by his young son, two gunmen approached and we believe both have fired multiple shots.
"John has ran a short distance and he's fallen to the ground, and as he's on the ground the gunmen have continued to fire at him.
"That shows the absolute callous nature of this attack in a crowded space where there are children and parents in the vicinity, and we saw many of those young people and children running in sheer terror to get to safety.
"At least two other vehicles have been struck, and again this highlights the callous and reckless nature of this attack."
Mr McEwan said the investigation is at an early stage and that police believe the gunmen made off in a small dark car which was later found burned out just outside Omagh.
"I would appeal for anyone with any information about those involved, about the vehicle, or anything else you think may be of use to the inquiry, no matter how small, please come forward to police," he said.
08:32KEY EVENT
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told Good Morning Ulster: "The officer's condition remains critical but stable. If I may just express my own and our shock and outrage at this disgusting attack against a police officer in a crowded space in front of parents and children.
"We are closely engaged with and supporting the family and in consultation with the family, I can at this stage confirm the officer is Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, a highly respected senior investigating officer who'll be familiar to many of you..."
08:08Nadia Breen
07:56Nadia Breen
The senior police officer who was shot at a sports centre in Omagh was "making an important contribution to society", PA report a former police ombudsman for Northern Ireland has said.
Baroness Nuala O'Loan told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4: "There's a serenity to Omagh, it's a beautiful place, and it's awful to think of that serenity being so shattered again.
"It's such an awful crime, such an awful crime. This officer was actually making an important contribution to society.
"He was going out after his policing, and he was enabling and encouraging young children.
"And the people who tried to kill him, they knew he would be there, just giving generously.
"It's awful and I do hope he recovers fully."
07:53Nadia Breen
UUP leader Doug Beattie said: "A man is fighting for his life, supported by our society's finest, our doctors and nurses. I pray he survives.
"There will be plenty to say in the days and weeks ahead about why anyone thinks they have any authority - moral, political or otherwise - to do something as cowardly as shoot a police officer.
"For tonight [Wednesday], my thoughts are with the officer, his family, his colleagues and those who are looking after him."
07:45Nadia Breen
The shooting took place at Youth Sport on the Killyclogher Road.
07:42Nadia Breen
BBC's Good Morning Ulster report UUP MLA Tom Elliott said: "It's absolutely despicable. We thought we had got past this and you know, it throws back to many years ago whenever we were hearing of this on a regular basis.
"It's just terrible..."
07:35Nadia Breen
BBC's Good Morning Ulster report local Sinn Fein MLA Declan McAleer said: "People were shocked and stunned and frightened..."
He added: "They can't believe that this has happened.
"Once again, I want to reiterate the call that [if] anyone has any information relating to this to please make it available to the PSNI so these perpetrators can be caught."
