The office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has strongly denied it was the source of a leak concerning the investigation into the fatal shooting by the PSNI on Easter Sunday.
Steven Colwell (23) died at the scene after he was shot by a police officer manning a checkpoint at Ballynahinch, Co Down which was set up to stop a stolen car.
According to the BBC yesterday, the officer shot Mr Colwell because he believed his life was in imminent danger. It is understood the officer, who has more than 10 years' experience, thought the car, a silver BMW, was being driven at him.
The Ombudsman's investigators, who are handling the inquiry, have confirmed that two shots were fired, though Nuala O'Loan's office has refused to comment further.
Apparent differences have emerged over the shooting, with the PSNI officer allegedly claiming he fired twice through the car's windscreen. However, it is understood the Ombudsman's team believe one of the two rounds fired came through the driver's side-window.
At least one bullet has been found in the boot of the car, it was reported, leading to claims the back-seat passengers were fortunate not to have been hit.
Mrs O'Loan's office said yesterday it was "very confident" the source did not come from the Ombudsman's team.
A source told The Irish Times: "This case has attracted a considerable amount of public comment and speculation which is not helpful and is not appreciated by Steven's family." The dead man, a father of one, came from just outside Ballymena, Co Antrim, but lived originally in loyalist west Belfast.
Three men and two women who were also in the car have been released on bail and have been questioned by the Ombudsman. The dead man's three brothers have appealed for an end to speculation about what happened until Mrs O'Loan's investigators have completed their inquiry.