Detectives investigating the attempted murder of a 49-year-old man in west Belfast in February have released CCTV images of two suspects and renewed their appeal for information, supported by a reward of up to £20,000 from the charity Crimestoppers.

The victim was shot as he sat inside a white Skoda Octavia taxi in the Bell Steel Manor area on Sunday, 23rd February, shortly before 10:30 am.

Detective Inspector Gina Quinn stated: "The attack took place on a Sunday morning, 23 February, just before 10.30am. This was a ruthless and targeted attack, which was intended to take a man’s life. It took place in broad daylight when anyone – any passers-by, including children – could easily have been injured or killed."

Police have now released still images of two suspects. "My hope is that the images will jog a memory or touch a conscience, and that anyone with information or footage will be encouraged to come forward," Detective Inspector Quinn said.

Investigators believe the two gunmen approached the vehicle on foot from a pathway running between the Glenwood and Laurelbank areas. After firing a number of shots at the victim, they are thought to have fled back along the same path, crossing the Stewartstown Road, entering the Glasvey area, then crossing the Twinbrook Road and into the Gardenmore Road area. Describing the released images, DI Quinn detailed: "The first image shows the two gunmen, one of whom is wearing a High-Vis yellow jacket. This image shows the men at around 9.50am. They’re on their way to carry out the attack, which took place at approximately 10.25am."

"The second image was taken at around 10.35am and shows the two men just after the shooting. Here, the yellow jacket has been discarded."

Searches conducted in the Glasvey area on 27th February led to the seizure of several items, including firearms, a Hi-Vis yellow jacket, and a dark-coloured baseball cap, which police believe was the jacket worn by one of the gunmen. These items are currently undergoing forensic examination.

Detective Inspector Quinn made a direct appeal for footage: "If, for example, you have CCTV, please check your footage between 9am and midday on Sunday 23 February. Might you have captured images similar to the ones released today? We know the gunmen waited in the Bell Steel Road area prior to the shooting. Did you see them, or indeed notice anything untoward?"

The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information received directly that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attack. Crimestoppers guarantees 100% anonymity, with calls never recorded and computer IP addresses untraceable.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Alternatively, information can be shared with detectives by calling 101 or via the Major Incident Public Portal on the PSNI website.