Police officer 'shot multiple times in front of kids during football coaching'

A police officer has been rushed to hospital after he was shot multiple times in front of a group of young people while attending a football coaching session in Omagh, Northern Ireland

Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter and Ewan Gleadow Social News Reporter

21:34, 22 Feb 2023Updated 02:16, 23 Feb 2023

Northern Ireland: Jim Shannon reacts to police officer being shot

An off-duty police officer has been shot multiple times at a sports complex in Omagh, Northern Ireland.

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Tom Elliott indicated that said officer had been attacked at a football coaching session in front of young people.

He branded the attack a "cowardly action" in a tweet which confirmed the shooting of the off-duty copper.

The officer, who was shot multiple times on Killyclogher Road has since been taken to hospital, where his condition remains unknown at this time.

[An off-duty police officer has been shot multiple times in Omagh, Northern Ireland (stock)]

An off-duty police officer has been shot multiple times in Omagh, Northern Ireland (stock)(Image: Google Street View)

A tweet from Elliott read: "Terrible news of a police officer being shot in Omagh this evening. Shot in front of young people at football coaching session.

"Despicable, cowardly action. No place in society for this."

Another Twitter user branded the shooting as "absolutely vile" as reports indicate the unnamed officer had been shot multiple times on Killyclogher Road at 8pm.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service had received a call at 8pm today following reports of an incident in the area.

The unnamed officer has since been taken to Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry, where his condition remains unknown.

Alliance leader Naomi Long offered her thoughts to the officer and his family in a tweet that denounced the "evil act of cowardice."

Her tweet read: "Disturbing news of unfolding events in Omagh this evening. My thoughts and those of my Alliance Party colleagues are with the officer, his family, colleagues, and all those affected by this evil act of cowardice."

[The off-duty officer has been taken to hospital, where his condition remains unknown (stock)]

The off-duty officer has been taken to hospital, where his condition remains unknown (stock)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) confirmed the incident, with NIAS despatching a Rapid Response Paramedic as well as an Emergency Crew and ambulance.

Simon Byrne, the Chief Constable at the Police Service of Northern Ireland, put out a statement condemning the attack.

"I am shocked and saddened by tonight's events in Omagh," he said.

"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 our community."

The police service took to Twitter as they confirmed the launch of an attempted murder investigation.

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