An off-duty senior police officer is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after being shot in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot by masked men in front of young people he had been coaching at a sports complex on the Killyclogher Road.
His identity was revealed by Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme.
Mr McEwan said: "The officer's condition remains critical but stable."
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service last night confirmed it attended a scene in the Killyclogher area of Omagh.
A spokesperson said they received an emergency call just after 8pm and took one patient by ambulance to Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
In a statement last night, PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said he was "shocked and saddened by [the] events".
"We will relentlessly pursue those responsible. They have nothing to offer our community," he said.
Gardaí said they have now "intensified patrolling" in border counties and are cooperating with the PSNI.
Attack condemned by parties
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar condemned the attack, calling it a "grotesque act of attempted murder".
"Our thoughts are with the injured officer, his family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time," Mr Varadkar said.
"I call on anyone with information about it to share it with the PSNI."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "I am appalled by the disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh.
"My thoughts are with the officer and his family. There is no place in our society for those who seek to harm public servants protecting communities."
I am appalled by the disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh tonight.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 22, 2023
My thoughts are with the officer and his family. There is no place in our society for those who seek to harm public servants protecting communities.
Tánaiste Michéal Martin said he was "shocked and appalled" by the shooting and this his "thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues in these difficult first hours".
"I urge anyone with information to go to the authorities," Mr Martin said.
Minister for Justice Simon Harris called the act "utterly deplorable and completely shocking to people across this island", saying it was "all the more so as it took place in the presence of young people".
"My first thoughts this evening are with the officer, his family and police colleagues as well with as the health professionals in Altnagelvin Hospital," Mr Harris.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson condemned the attack, saying "our heart goes out to the family of this courageous police officer and to his colleagues".
"We condemn outright the cowards responsible for this. These terrorists have nothing to offer and they must be brought to justice. We stand with the PSNI," he said.
MLAs Thomas Buchanan DUP; Daniel MCrossan SDLP & Declan McAleer SF all here and struggling to find right words to condemn what they've described as an outrage pic.twitter.com/HbgtNaH6aJ
— conor macauley (@TVconormac) February 22, 2023
Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill described the shooting as "reprehensible".
Ms O'Neill tweeted: "This is an outrageous and shameful attack. My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family".
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris condemned the shooting saying that his "immediate thoughts are with the PSNI officer and his family".
"Those responsible for such horror must be brought to justice," he said.
Attack took place at sports complex
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Tom Elliott said the officer was coaching young people when the attack took place.
"My understanding is he was coaching young people at a local sports complex and I think they were nearing the end of the session or maybe at the end of the session and there would obviously have been some of these young people around at that time and I am told that two masked gunmen walked up and shot him a number of times," Mr Elliott told Nolan Live on BBC One NI.
"To see that happen in front of you for young people is indescribable almost, and I'm sure will have a lasting impact on them.
"At this stage clearly we're all thinking of this police officer and his immediate family and we're just hoping and praying that the officer will get better."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the "brutal attack" is a "chilling reminder of the horrifying violence that criminal gangs are willing to visit on the people of Northern Ireland".
"My thoughts and the thoughts of my SDLP colleagues are with the man and with the paramedics, doctors, nurses and police colleagues looking after him at this time," Mr Eastwood said.
Former Stormont justice minister Naomi Long said her thoughts were with the officer, his family, colleagues and all those affected by the shooting.
She branded the attack an "evil act of cowardice".
Additional reporting PA
