28/04/2003

Police describe shooting of officers as 'attempted murder'

Police have described the shooting of two PSNI officers in north Belfast at the weekend as attempted murder.

Loyalist paramilitaries have been blamed for the incident which occurred after trouble flared on the Limestone Road area of the city on Saturday night.

Both officers, who were hit by shotgun pellets, were taken to hospital, but their injuries are not thought to be life threatening. The officers were hit as they tried to separate rival gangs who began stoning each other at around 9am.

Superintendent David Boultwood said: " I have no doubt that the gunman probably did have some connection to loyalist paramilitaries, although at the present stage I can't definitely say that he was a member of the UDA.

One person was arrested for riotous behaviour while a police vehicle was also damaged as officers were attacked with bricks.

The Army was eventually called in to deal with the trouble which was under control just before midnight.

(MB)

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