Punishment attack suspected as man shot near school

A man shot in daylight hours close to a school may have been the victim of a punishment attack, it was claimed today.

SDLP Assembly member Mary Bradley said his injuries were not life-threatening after he was allegedly clubbed to the ground and shot outside a house in Bloomfield Park, Shantallow, Derry, this afternoon.

The suspected punishment assault happened as pupils were leaving St Brigid's High School just across the road.

Ms Bradley said: "This is the type of thing that residents hoped had gone away long ago and they don't want it back again.

"It happened when children were coming in from school at 3pm.

"There were also younger children from other schools."

Police have not confirmed a motive for the attack and it is not known at this stage if it is linked to an organised group.

Shantallow is a mainly nationalist area.

The victim is being treated at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Ms Bradley added: "I believe the person's injuries are not life-threatening, thankfully, but I would totally condemn this."