Three people are being questioned by detectives in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in Belfast close to Divis Tower.
Edward Gibson (28), died at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital yesterday from injuries he sustained during a shooting in the Clonfaddan Crescent and Divis Court area of West Belfast on Friday evening at around 5pm.
The father-of-one, known as Eddie, was shot in the stomach and leg, in the fatal alleyway attack.
Subsequently detectives from the PSNI serious crime branch arrested two men, aged 33 and 30, and a woman (31), connection with the incident.
The 30-year-old arrested man was also treated in hospital for stab wounds sustained in an attack related to Mr Gibson’s death at around 4.30pm on Friday.
He remains under arrest while receiving hospital treatment today.
The man (33), and woman have been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.
It has been reported Mr Gibson was the victim of “a botched punishment attack”.
However, Detective Chief Inspector Justyn Galloway said all lines of enquiry remain open.
The senior officer is urging anyone with information about the shooting or stabbing incidents on Friday to contact police.
“We are linking an incident which occurred in Albert Street approximately half an hour before the shooting, where we believe an altercation involving a number of males has taken place,” he said.
“My appeal today is to people who were in the laneway in Divis Tower at 5pm and who saw the shooting or heard the shots to come forward and speak to Detectives.
“I am also appealing to anyone in the Albert Street area at 4.30 pm who witnessed the altercation to come forward and I am making a particular appeal to Edward’s friends and associates to come forward and speak to Detectives and provide us with the information we need to identify and bring the persons responsible before the courts.”
SDLP MLA Alex Attwood described Mr Gibson’s death as “a terrible tragedy and horror”.
“There is a sense of shock that death again visits our streets’ he said.
“I, as everyone should, fully condemn this act.
“We in the SDLP extend our sympathy to the family.
“As with any attack on people’s human rights, this action of self-appointed people who have taken the law into their own hands is utterly wrong.
“Attacks on the human rights of people and individuals taking the law into their own hands is as wrong today as it was wrong in previous times.”
Sinn Féin West Belfast MLA Fra McCann also expressed his condolences to Mr Gibson’s family.
“I extend my sympathy to the family of Edward Gibson and call on anyone with the slightest piece of information to come forward,” he said.
“Those responsible have nothing to offer our community who wish to move on to a better and peaceful future.
“This shooting took place in broad daylight in a very busy area around Divis Tower. Those responsible have no consideration for anyone in this community.
“There is now a family in mourning and a community traumatised by this shooting.
“I would appeal to anyone with any information to bring it to the PSNI.”
Detectives can be contacted at Musgrave on 101 or alternatively information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.