By Q Radio News
A man has been shot in both legs by two masked men at a house in west Belfast.
Police say a woman and child were in the property when the attack took place in the Hazel Glen area of the city before 8pm last night.
The pair forced their way into the house and fired a number of shots in the hallway.
The victim is recovering from significant injuries in hospital .
(Searches have been carried out following last night's attack)
MP for the area Paul Maskey says those responsible have no place in society:
Police are trying to establish if the attack is linked to a burnt out Audi A3 car, which was found on McKinstry Road a short time later.
The PSNI has described the attack as 'merciless.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a man was shot in both legs in a house in west Belfast last night when a child was present.
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) December 10, 2020
Read our appeal here: https://t.co/v5JV7weEq9
(PSNI officers have been carrying out searches following last night's shooting)
Detective Inspector O'Flaherty said: "Those who are involved in these attacks do not represent the interests of this community, nor do they contribute anything to it. They do it to try and exert influence, or gain control of those they claim to represent.
"No one has the right to violate the rights of others.
"As part of our enquiries into this shooting we are also investigating a possible link with a report of a burnt out car, an Audi A3, that was found of McKinstry Road and reported to us just before 8:30pm.
“We are working to establish a motive for this horrific attack and appeal to anyone who was in the Hazel Glen area between 7:40pm and 8pm and who saw or heard anything suspicious to get in touch with us. I would also ask anyone who knows anything about the Audi A3 car that was found burnt out to call our detectives at Musgrave on 101, and quote reference number 1590 09/12/20.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
(Police officers carried out searches this morning following last night's shooting incident in Hazel Glen)
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