Maguiresbridge shooting: PSNI appeal for anyone who spoke recently with victims Vanessa Whyte or her children Sara or James Rutledge to come forward

PSNI Detectives, who launched a murder investigation following a shooting incident in Maguiresbridge, have named the deceased.

The three family members whose lives were taken were Vanessa Whyte, who was 45 years old; Sara Rutledge, aged 13; and James Rutledge, aged 14.

One adult male from the same family also suffered gunshot wounds and is seriously ill in hospital.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: “Today, our thoughts remain with those loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart.”

He continued: “Our investigation is continuing and I am keen to reiterate our appeal for anyone with information to get in touch.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who had spoken to Vanessa, Sara or James over the last few weeks. If you are someone that Vanessa, Sara or James may have confided in, please come and speak to us.

“Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem could prove crucial to our investigation.”

Ms Whyte was a veterinary surgeon.

A fourth person, a man, is in a serious condition in hospital after the incident in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge.

All four people are members of the same household and all four suffered gunshot wounds, police said.

Superintendent Robert McGowan said that the suspect has a “limited footprint” with police.

Speaking in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, Mr McGowan said that two people were pronounced dead at the scene and a third person died in hospital.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 8.21am on Wednesday and dispatched three emergency ambulances, one rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers and an ambulance doctor to the scene.

It said all four people had sustained gunshot wounds and that all four individuals were from the same household.

Mr McGowan said the incident was ongoing when police arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning.

“It just happened prior to police attending, so, as you can appreciate, it’s a very harrowing scene for all involved,” he told reporters.

“So, not only police officers, but colleagues in the ambulance service, and family members. Without going into detail, it’s a very harrowing scene for anybody to attend.”

He added: “There is limited domestic history involving the people concerned and that is certainly one line of inquiry that the detectives will take forward.”

He said the alarm was raised by a phone call made from the house where the incident was taking place.

“I am keen first and foremost to express my sympathy to the family members and loved ones who are today left in total shock and who will struggle to come to terms with their unimaginable loss,” he added.

“Detectives have now commenced a murder investigation and are working at pace to determine the circumstances.

“This is a quiet rural location and I’m aware that this tragic event will have sent shockwaves of sadness throughout the community.”

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly expressed their shock at a mother and her two children being killed.

“We are deeply saddened by the events which have unfolded in Maguiresbridge,” they said in a joint statement.

“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims and their families, and the wider community.

“We want to pay tribute to and thank our emergency services who responded to the incident.”

Local MP Pat Cullen said she was “shocked to the core” and “heartbroken” at the incident.

“It’s such a tragedy to hear that a mother and two wee children have lost their lives here today, and another person seriously injured,” the Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative told PA.

“It’s just devastating news, devastating for the people of Maguiresbridge, a really close-knit community that I have got to know so well over the last year, just people that are the salt of the earth.

“I’m also thinking of all the wee school friends of those two wee children and what that must feel like for all of them and how the next few days and weeks will be for everyone, particularly just at the beginning of the school holidays.”

• Police can be contacted on 101, quoting reference 276 of 23/07/25 or a report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

• The PSNI has said it is aware of ongoing speculation and the sharing of imagery on social media in relation to the shooting incident in Maguiresbridge. It is asking that people refrain from sharing misinformation or images, saying this may ultimately have a negative impact on the criminal justice process.