Omagh shooting: Off-duty officer in 'critical but stable condition' says Chief Constable

THE condition of the off-duty police officer shot at Youth Sport Omagh tonight is said to be 'critical but stable'.

This evening the PSNI issued a statement confirming that they were at the scene of a shooting in the Killyclogher Road area.

"One man, a serving police officer, has been taken to hospital for treatment after being injured in a shooting incident at a sports complex just before 8pm this evening," they said.

In a statement issued just after 11pm this evening, Chief Constable Simon Byrne said he was "shocked and saddened by tonight's events in Omagh".

He added: "The officer is in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

"My thoughts are with him, his family and his colleagues.

"We will relentlessly pursue those responsible. They have nothing to offer our community."

Ulster Unionist assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tom Elliott, said that he believed that two masked gunmen were involved and that the shooting had taken place "in front of young people at football coaching session".

He said it was a "despicable and cowardly action".

DUP West Tyrone MLA, Tom Buchanan, said that it was his understanding that the off-duty officer was putting items into the boot of a car while children stood waiting to be collected by parents when it happened.

Omagh town councillor, Stephen Donnelly, said he was 'horrified' by the news.

"I am as horrified as I am sick to my stomach at the reports emerging from Omagh this evening.

"I would urge everyone to stay clear of the area around Youth Sport.

"Our thoughts are with the officer targeted and with his family and colleagues.

"We in Omagh say: not in our name."

There was a heavy police presence in the area following the shooting.

Meanwhile, Alliance Party leader, Naomi Long, described the unfolding events as 'disturbing'.

"My thoughts and those of my @allianceparty colleagues are with the officer, his family, colleagues, and all those affected by this evil act of cowardice," she said.

Democratic Unionist leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson condemned the "cowards responsible for this".

The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, described the shooting as "terrible news".

"Our thoughts are with the injured officer, his family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time," Mr Varadkar said.

"I utterly condemn this grotesque act of attempted murder.

"I call on anyone with information about it to share it with the PSNI."

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland "condemned this appalling and barbaric act of violence on an off-duty officer".

They added: "Our thoughts are with our colleague and his family. These gunmen offer nothing to society. Anyone with information should come forward."