Blue Ford Fiesta used by New IRA killers to leave scene after murder bid on DCI John Caldwell
Police also confirmed the officer remains in a “critical but stable condition” and said 12 searches have so far been carried out by the PSNI in Omagh and the surrounding areas and six arrests made.
And in a bid to glean more information about the New IRA gunmen, independent charity Crimestoppers has issued a £20,000 reward.
At least ten shots were fired by suspected dissident republican hitmen sent to kill the senior detective.
Last night the New IRA posted a statement on a wall in Derry claiming responsibility for trying to kill DCI Caldwell.
During a press conference, Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan of the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team (MIT) said: “At this time we believe at least 10 shots were fired by the gunmen in front of terrified children and parents.
“That shows the completely reckless nature of this attack and the callous disregard the gunmen had for children and adults who were present at the time of the shooting.
“The gunmen fired from close range in the busy sports training area, which could have quite easily seriously injured or killed anyone close by. John’s own son was with him at the time and witnessed the shooting.
“John remains in hospital where his condition remains critical but stable.
CCTV captures New IRA gunmen flee Omagh murder bid scene in blue Ford Fiesta after shooting
“Six men aged between 22 and 71, arrested as part of our investigation, remain in custody.
“We continue to treat this as terrorist-related and our primary line of enquiry is it has been carried out by the New IRA.
“Today I am releasing CCTV footage of the car used by the gunmen. This is a blue Ford Fiesta, Registration Number MGZ 6242. It was then fitted with false plates, FRZ 8414, prior to the attack.
Distinctive alloys were fitted to blue Ford Fiesta used by New IRA gunmen
“We then know it travelled past Glendale Service Station to the Racolpa Road where they abandoned the car and set it on fire.
“We have established that the car was purchased in Ballyclare on Wednesday 8 February and was observed travelling towards Belfast on the M2 Motorway that night.
“It was next noted leaving Belfast at around 9.30pm on Tuesday 21 February – the night before the attack on John – and travelled along the M1 Motorway in the direction of Coalisland/Omagh.
“My appeal today is for anyone who knows where this car was kept in Belfast in the preceding two weeks or anyone who knows where it was stored after it travelled to Omagh on the Tuesday night.
“I am also appealing for anyone who observed anything suspicious in the Racolpa Road area on Wednesday evening. Did you see anyone or any vehicles on the road? Did you observe any vehicles driving away from the area at speed?
DCI John Caldwell shot and critically injured in Omagh
“I am also keen to highlight a reward of up to £20,000 from Crimestoppers, who are a charity and independent of the police.
“The reward is offered for information given directly to Crimestoppers that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for John’s attempted murder.
“Crimestoppers will ensure that you remain anonymous.”
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