Jessie Powell said her family is going to “live in fear every night” after her gradson was shot and beaten by masked men
The 19-year-old victim, Liam McElhinney, was beaten with a baseball bat before being shot in the leg in his grandmother’s home in Springhill Park at around 7:20pm on 9th February.
This morning, detectives arrested a 36-year-old man under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act.
He remains in custody assisting officers with their enquiries.
Detective Sergeant Ballentine said: “This was a brutal attack on the victim who was at home with a family member, aged just 11 years old, when the gunmen struck.
“It was reported the gunmen also pointed a gun at the young boy.
“This sickening attack has left the victim with life-changing injuries along with having to deal with the trauma of what he experienced.
“I want to reiterate our appeal to anyone with information about this savage attack to call us.
“Think if this was your son, or brother or friend – how would you feel? If you have information, tell us.
It may make all the difference to catching those responsible.”
Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference 1668 of 09/02/22.
A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
At the time, Liam’s grandmother Jessie Powell said the two masked men who entered her home also put a gun to his young brother’s face.
She said the family have been left traumatised by the attack.
“How dare they come – I am an old age pensioner – to my home and do that? They have no respect. We are going to live in fear now every night.
“If you are going to target an 11-year-old child, put a gun to an 11-year-old’s face and steal his phone, what kind of people are they?”
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