

A STRABANE man who was subjected to a terrifying gun attack at his home last week has no idea why he was targeted.

The man who is in poor health since surviving cancer was left deeply shocked and distressed by the incident.

Detailing the sinister series of events councillor Karina Carlin explained that the man was watching TV in his lower Melmount Road

residence when a knock came to his door shortly after 9pm on Sunday September 23.


“When he opened the door there was a person with his face covered with a heavy hood held with his left hand across his face so that it was

barely visible.

“He then saw the stranger’s right arm move up and realised that he was pointing a gun at him. The man immediately panicked and slapped at the gunman’s right hand holding the gun. As he did so, the gun went off and struck the man’s front door panel,” the Sinn Féin representative explained.

“He managed to slam his front door shut and stayed inside the hallway hoping the gunman would go away. Eventually he opened his door to check and by then the gunman had disappeared. At first the man wondered was this some kind of bizarre prank, but later realised the

bullet hole in his door meant it was for real.”

Cllr Carlin has condemned the attack and called on those involved to take responsibility for their actions.

“The individual or group responsible for this reckless and terrifying behaviour need to explain themselves not only to the victim and his

family, but also to the wider community who must be free from these incidents,” she said.

“This man has no knowledge of who or why this has happened to him and he and his family are deeply shocked and distressed. He has had to seek medical support as this has had a deep effect upon him. His health has been poor since surviving from cancer in 2011 and this is a

major setback for him.”

A security operation was mounted by the PSNI in the town following the incident. Detectives are appealing for witnesses and are looking for a male described as being 5ft 10 inches height, slim build and aged in his mid 20s to 30s. He is believed to have been wearing a parka style

jacket with a fur hood at the time of the incident.

Detective Constable St Ledger said, “At around 9pm, it was reported that a shot had been fired at a property by an unknown male in the

area. It was reported the male approached the front door and was carrying a white plastic bag with a suspected firearm inside. The male

is believed to have knocked the front door and when the door was opened by a male occupant, a shot was fired from the plastic bag.

“Damage was caused to the front door of the property as a result of the incident. The male occupant inside the house at the time of the

incident was not injured. The male is believed to have made off on foot towards the St Mary’s Drive area following the incident.”

Enquiries are continuing and police would appeal to anyone with any information to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1293 23/9/18. Alternatively, information can also be provided to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”