An off-duty police officer shot by masked men in Co Tyrone has been named as Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell.
The senior PSNI officer was shot four times by masked men in front of young people, including his own son who was close by, following a coaching session at a sports centre in Omagh on Wednesday night.
The policeman’s identity was revealed by Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.
Read more: Senior PSNI officer shot 'in front of young people by masked men'- LIVE updates
Mr McEwan said: “The officer’s condition remains critical but stable.”
Dissident republican group the New IRA is the primary focus of detectives investigating the shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Co Tyrone, police said.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched an attempted murder investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told BBC Radio Ulster the “primary focus” of the investigation was on “violent dissident republicans”.
He said: “The investigation is at an early stage, we are keeping an open mind. There are multiple strands to that investigation.
“The primary focus is on violent dissident republicans and within that there is a primary focus as well on New IRA.”
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told BBC Radio Ulster: “Last night at approximately 8 o’clock at the youth sports centre in Killyclogher Road, Omagh, whilst John was putting footballs into the boot of his car, and accompanied by his young son, two gunmen approached and we believe both have fired multiple shots.
“John has ran a short distance and he’s fallen to the ground, and as he’s on the ground the gunmen have continued to fire at him.
“That shows the absolute callous nature of this attack in a crowded space where there are children and parents in the vicinity, and we saw many of those young people and children running in sheer terror to get to safety.
“At least two other vehicles have been struck, and again this highlights the callous and reckless nature of this attack.”
Mr McEwan said the investigation is at an early stage and that police believe the gunmen made off in a small dark car which was later found burned out just outside Omagh.
“I would appeal for anyone with any information about those involved, about the vehicle, or anything else you think may be of use to the inquiry, no matter how small, please come forward to police,” he said.
Mr Caldwell was a high-profile officer who has led a number of major investigations, including taking a leading role in the murder probe following the killing of Natalie McNally in Lurgan in December.
Speaking about the shooting of the off-duty officer, Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told BBC Radio Ulster: “If I may just express my own and our shock and outrage at this disgusting attack against a police officer in a crowded space in front of parents and children.
“We are closely engaged with and supporting the family, and in consultation with the family I can at this stage confirm the officer is Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell – a highly respected senior investigating officer who’d be familiar to many of you.
“John is someone who dedicated himself to service, both as an SIO (senior investigative officer) in supporting victims and families in bringing others to justice and as an active member of the community, as has been described this morning.”
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