Members of the public are responding to police appeals for information on the whereabouts of wanted murder suspect Kieran McLaughlin.
On the run: Kieran McLaughlin.
A man was forced from a car in the city at around 11.50am this morning by armed police after being mistaken for the 58-year-old who the PSNI want to speak to in relation to the killing of 35-year-old Barry McCrory in the city on Thursday morning last.
According to one eyewitness, the man was ordered from the vehicle and told him keep his hands visible at Whitehouse shopping Complex on Buncrana Road on the outskirts of the city.
However, it was quickly established that it was a case of mistaken identity. The eyewitness said the man at the centre of the incident “bore a remarkable resemblance” to the wanted man.
It is understood the armed police rushed to the shopping complex following a “tip-off” by a member of the public.
The Whitehouse incident occurred after members of the Garda’s elite armed response unit surrounded a house in the Brae Road area, about five mile from the village of Burnfoot, at 5.30pm yesterday in the belief they had “cornered” the suspect.
However, after a “stand off” which lasted almost 11 hours the operation was “officially” stood down. Although Gardai confirmed nothing was found and no one was arrested, armed Gardai remained at the scene until noon today when a number of families who had been evacuated from their homes were allowed to return.
The 35-year-old Mr McCrory was shot after a lone gunman gained entry to the apartment he shared with his partner. After forcing the woman into another room, the gunman turned and shot the father-of-one. He mingled with shoppers as he made his geteaway on foot.
Police carried out extensive searches at homes – including those belonging to the suspect’s family – in the Galliagh area on Thursday before they took the unusual step of releasing a photograph and naming McLaughlin as the man they wanted to speak to in relation to the murder.
Meanwhile, police in the city said there had been unconfirmed reports the murder suspect had been seen in the city.
A PSNI statement issued late this afternoon police reiterated their warning that Mr McLaughlin should not be approached.
The detective leading the investigation, Chief Inspector Ian Harrison, added: “We are continuing to appeal to the public for their assistance in establishing the current whereabouts of 58 year old Kieran McLaughlin.
“I can confirm there have been a number unconfirmed sightings of Mr McLaughlin in the Derry area but it is imperative that future sightings of Kieran are reported to police immediately and reiterate to the public not to approach him, but to contact police on 999 if you think you know of his whereabouts.”
DCI Harrison made a direct appeal to McLaughlin to give himself up.
He said: “I would also emphasise to Kieran to contact police immediately as we are actively seeking to speak with you. It is our wish that this matter is resolved without further incident”
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