A man has been taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to his stomach following an incident in south Armagh last night (Tuesday 15 October).
Police say another man was assaulted after a group of men attacked a parked car in Forkill.
Detectives at Ardmore are investigating the incidents.
Detective Inspector Handley said shortly before 6:20pm, police received a report that a number of men, possibly up to four, arrived by vehicle in Park Urney in Forkhill and attacked a parked car.
“The male occupant of this vehicle, aged 54, managed to get out but, as he attempted to run away, he was assaulted. We believe he may have been struck on the head with a firearm, and subsequently sustained minor cuts to his head. As he continued to run away, he was chased by his attackers. One of the suspects, aged 37, is reported to have fallen and sustained a gunshot wound to his stomach,” explained the Detective Inspector.
At around 6:31pm, it was reported this injured man who sustained a gunshot wound was driven to Daisy Hill Hospital in a blue Honda Accord where he was left outside before the vehicle sped off.
At around 8:20pm, police say the Blue Honda Accord was discovered burnt out in Mourne View Park in Newry.
The man who sustained the head injuries has since been released, while the second man who sustained a gunshot wound has undergone surgery and remains in hospital this morning where his condition is described as critical but stable.
“This was a reckless series of events and it only by sheer luck that we are not dealing with a tragic situation today.
“Two men ended up in hospital, however, anyone who was in the vicinity last night could well have been caught up in this and injured. Our investigation into these incidents is underway and we are working to establish a motive for what occurred.
“I want to take this opportunity to make a number of appeals this morning and urge anyone with information that may help our investigation to pick up the phone and tell us what you know.
“Were you in Park Urney in Forkhill last night between 6pm and 6:30pm? Did you see a Blue Honda Accord in the Park Urney area of Forkhill, or in the Hospital Road area in Newry around 6:30pm; or did you capture this vehicle on your dash cam? Did you see what occurred?” said the Detective Inspector.
“Were you at Daisy Hill Hospital last night around 6:30pm? Did you see anything out of the ordinary, in particular a Blue Honda Accord in the Accident and Emergency area and, finally, were you in the Mourne View Park area of Newry around 8:15pm night where a Blue Honda Accord was found burnt out? Did you see any suspicious activity, including vehicles or persons?
“If you have information, please call our detectives at Ardmore on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1628 of 15/10/19,” added the Detective Inspector.
Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.