Loyalist paramilitaries were today being blamed for the murder of a 26-year-old Catholic in his house.
The RUC said they were still pursuing a number of lines of inquiry into the murder of Mr John Henry McCormack who was gunned down in his Loughanhill Park home on the loyalist Ballysally estate in Coleraine, Co Derry at around 10.30 p.m. last night.
It is understood the gunmen were wearing boiler suits and entered the rear of the house. One remained at the back, while his colleague fired several shots at the victim at the front of the house.
Mr McCormack's partner and four young children were at home at the time. He died not long afterwards in hospital.
The gunmen made their getaway in a silver Renault 11 car, which was later found abandoned and on fire not far away in Dundooan Road.
Chief Inspector Nigel Kyle condemned the shooting after visiting the murder scene.
He said: "Everyone must condemn the action of those people involved who broke into the house containing four children to carry out this despicable deed.
"What is desperately needed now is partnership approach from people in the community to help bring those behind the killing to justice.
"Every piece of information is crucial in the hunt for the killers."
Chief Inspector Kyle said they were particularly anxious to hear from people on the Ballysally estate who may have witnessed the attackers fleeing Mr McCormack's house at high speed in the silver Renault car or from those who may have seen the gunmen possibly switching vehicles in Dundooan Road.
He confirmed Mr McCormack's home had been targeted in a pipe bomb attack on June 3rd but was at pains to stress that no motive for last night's killing had been established.
Unionist and nationalist politicians in Coleraine have condemned the attack.
SDLP Assembly member Mr John Dallat, who was elected as Coleraine's first ever nationalist mayor, earlier this week said it was "morally reprehensible".
The East Derry MLA said: "This incident will come as a terrible blow for Coleraine. It is not good for this town which could have done without it for all sorts of reasons and my sympathies go to the victim's family.
"Whatever the motive, the people behind it should be aware that everyone has a basic right to live.
"It is morally reprehensible that someone should act in this way as judge, jury and executioner. I hope those responsible will be caught."
Democratic Unionist MP and Assembly member for the area, Mr Gregory Campbell also urged the community to rally behind the RUC's efforts to find the killers.
The Stormont Regional Development Minister said: "No cause can be served by the taking of a human life and this murder, like each and every other murder, has to be condemned totally and absolutely."
PA