Children escape injury as shots fired at house in west Belfast

Police are investigating reports that a number of shots were fired at the property in the St Bernadette’s Avenue of Ballymurphy shortly before 8.50pm on Tuesday.

A man aged in his thirties and woman aged in her twenties, along with three children, were inside the house at the time of the incident.

Detective Sergeant Eric Fairfield said: “This was a reckless attack, and we are fortunate no one was physically injured as a result of it but, as you can imagine, this was a distressing ordeal for the victims.

“The very fact those behind this reckless attack thought it was acceptable to fire shots at a house in a built-up area shows the contempt they have for people in their community.

“The bullets could have strayed at any moment and hit someone passing by.”

D/S Fairfield added: “This is utterly appalling and needs to stop. Our investigation continues this morning, and I want to make a number of appeals.

“If you were in the area last night, did you hear or see any suspicious activity, including any vehicles being driven in a suspicious manner? Did you see anyone in the area acting suspiciously? If you have any information you think might help our investigation, call our detectives at Musgrave on 101, and quote reference number 1831 of 23/02/21.”

A report can also be submitted at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or by contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.