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A man was shot in a paramilitary style shooting in the Creggan area of Derry tonight.

The man, aged in his twenties, was shot twice in his right leg as he got out of his car in Magowan Park, a new housing development off Southway at 9pm.

He was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital for treatment. His condition is described as critical.

A car, believed to belong to the victim, remained parked in Magowan Park and blood was seen running down the street in the quiet residential area that had welcomed its first residents just after Christmas.

One man who lives in the area, who wished to remain nameless, said he called an ambulance after he heard shots and a man shouting.

He added: “I heard a few loud bangs just before 9pm. I thought it was a car back firing. Then I heard a man shouting 'I've been shot'.

"I ran up the street and he was still sitting in his driver's seat. There was blood everywhere. I called an ambulance and stood there beside the car. The guy looked like he went unconscious, he didn't say anything at all. One of the other neighbours put a coat over his legs to keep him warm.

“The paramedics came, got him in the ambulance and took him to hospital.

“That was an hour and a half ago, and there is no police here. There is blood running down the street into the drains, there are people walking all over the place. It's a disgrace."

A large pool of blood could be seen next to a car in the city's Magowan Park where it is believed the man was shot.

Sources in the area said the police had not arrived at the scene and the area around the shooting was being walked on by some people.

The shooting comes in the wake of Michael McGibbon bleeding to death after being subjected to a paramilitary style shooting in North Belfast.

Inspector Alison Ferguson is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation to contact Detectives in Strand Road on 101. Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.