Police in Northern Ireland have launched a murder investigation after a woman and two children died in a shooting in County Fermanagh. A man was also seriously injured in the incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning in Maguiresbridge.
All four victims were from the same household and sustained gunshot wounds, according to Superintendent Robert McGowan. He said detectives were working at pace to determine the circumstances and that the suspect had a limited footprint with police.
The ambulance service received a call at 8.21am and dispatched emergency crews to the scene. A woman and a child were pronounced dead at the scene, while the injured man was taken by air ambulance to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Another child was taken to South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, where they later died.
Police sealed off the Drummeer Road area and said there was no ongoing risk to the public. Supt McGowan described the incident as a tragic event that would send waves of sadness throughout the quiet rural community.
Local politicians expressed shock and condolences. Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen urged the public not to speculate on the details, while DUP assembly member Deborah Erskine said the community was deeply affected. Former DUP leader Arlene Foster and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn also offered their sympathies.
