Latest: Murder probe launched after prominent loyalist shot in neck dies

Latest: A man shot in the neck in a street full of families and older people has died, police in the North have said.

Update 1.08pm: A man shot in the neck in a street full of families and older people has died, police in the North have said.

Detectives launched a murder investigation after George Gilmore, 44, was targeted while he was driving his car on Pinewood Avenue in Carrickfergus in Co Antrim on Monday afternoon. He was taken to hospital, where he died today.

Another bullet was found lodged in an occupied house in a residential area of Carrickfergus north of Belfast, police said, and it was lucky bystanders were not hurt.

The shooting has been connected to a loyalist feud by local politicians. Police said the involvement of paramilitary criminals was a possibility.

The gunman fled on foot.

PSNI detective chief superintendent Raymond Murray described the shooting as a "reckless attack" and said: "Our thoughts are with the Gilmore family at this time as they come to terms with their loss.

"We are still at an early stage of the investigation, which is now a murder investigation, and while we have definite lines of enquiry I would appeal to local people to help us identify the person or persons who orchestrated and carried out this ruthless attack in broad daylight.

"Those involved had no consideration for the local community when they carried out their attack in a residential street populated with families, young children and older people."

Local police, supported by members of the PSNI's Armed Response Units and colleagues from Air Support Unit, carried out a number of searches across Carrickfergus and maintained a robust presence in the area throughout the night.

Update 5.30pm:A dispute between loyalist factions in the town has been ongoing for months.

It is thought the fallout involves two parts of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

An assessment by the PSNI and MI5 last year of paramilitary groups in the North concluded that members of organisations like the UDA continue to engage in violent activity and that "violence and intimidation are used to exercise control at a community level".

The shooting followed a serious assault on a doorman at a nearby bar in Carrickfergus on Sunday.

Local police, supported by members of the PSNI's Armed Response Units and colleagues from the Air Support Unit, carried out a number of searches across Carrickfergus and maintained a robust presence in the area throughout Monday night.

Det Chief Supt Murray appealed for the public to come forward with information, including sightings of Mr Gilmore's white Vauxhall Insignia car.

"Let me be clear, the gunmen did not care about the local community when they carried out this attack, which is evident as one of the bullets missed its intended victim and was found lodged in a house which was occupied at the time."