Man still being held over attempted murders

A 26-YEAR-OLD man is still being questioned by detectives following the attempted murders of three police officers in Dunmurry.

As police followed up bogus reports of a burglary in the Foxes Glen area at about 1pm on Thursday afternoon up to six shots were fired, although nobody was injured. The street was busy with children returning from school and playgroups at the time.

Searches are still going on in the greater Belfast area following the man’s arrest on Thursday night.

Chief Inspector Darrin Jones said: “It is despicable that police officers who were simply trying to give assistance to a person they believed needed them, should be attacked so ruthlessly.

“I feel extremely fortunate and incredibly grateful that those responsible for this attack failed in their goal to murder.

“We could so easily have been dealing with an unimaginable tragedy had the person or persons who pulled the trigger had their evil way.”

The police said one line of inquiry was that the officers may have been “lured” to the area to be targeted.

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