POLICE HAVE SAID that a teenager’s life has been “changed forever” after he was shot in both legs by dissident republicans in Derry on Monday night.
The shooting happened at the back of a flats complex in Ballymagroarty at around 11.45pm. The 17-year-old was shot in the left thigh and the right calf by two men.
The teenager was driven to hospital by his father.
“Last night the life of a young man from this city was put at risk and his future probably changed forever by the barbaric actions of a few thugs,” said Chief Superintendent Stephen Cargin of the PSNI.
“He is receiving the best possible medical treatment, and while his life is not thought to be in danger, there may be longer term consequences,” he said.
There has been a quadrupling in the number of shootings in that part of Northern Ireland so far this year compared to last year, Cargin said.
There have been 25 paramilitary-style incidents, including shootings, pipe bombs, assaults, and criminal damage.
The vast majority of the shootings were carried out by dissident republicans who often claim to be acting in the best interests of the community.
“The victims have been the subject of brutality meted out by some who claim it is some kind of ‘justice’,” said Cargin.
“Once again we are going back in time,” he said.
He was strongly critical of the people who carried out such attacks, saying they were designed to terrorise and bring fear to communities.
The PSNI has appealed for witnesses to this attack or any others carried out by dissident republicans to come forward, and have released a poster to encourage people to come forward.
“The irony is that when we catch the people who carry out such brutal attacks, they will be treated with the proper justice and mercy that they deny their victims,” said Cargin.
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