In Northern Ireland, three persons have been detained after a prominent police detective was shot multiple times while not on duty.
DCI John Caldwell, who is widely known in the area for directing investigations into high-profile sectarian murders, paramilitary groups, and organised criminal gangs, is currently struggling for his life following the attack in Omagh, County Tyrone.
On Wednesday night, as the senior officer was wrapping up his time as a juvenile football coach, two masked assailants came up behind him and started shooting.
Colleagues say he was shot in front of his young son as he loaded footballs into the boot of his car and that he tried to flee before collapsing.
Police say the main focus of their investigation is the republican group New IRA and that the gunmen may have fled across the border.
The gunmen opened fire in a ‘crowded space where there [were] children and parents in the vicinity’, assistant chief constable Mark McEwan said.
Witnesses saw ‘many of those young people and children running in sheer terror to get to safety’, he added, branding the attackers ‘absolutely callous’ for risking so many innocent lives.
Crime scene after police officer shot at sports complex in Co Tyrone
Mr McEwan added: ‘At least two other vehicles have been struck, and again this highlights the callous and reckless nature of this attack.’
The gunmen are believed to have fled in a small dark car which was later found burned on the outskirts of Omagh.
The attack was quickly condemned by politicians on all sides of Stormont’s divides.
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill said: ‘My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family. I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer.’
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: ‘Our heart goes out to the family of this courageous police officer and to his colleagues.
‘We condemn outright the cowards responsible for this. These terrorists have nothing to offer and they must be brought to justice. We stand with the PSNI.’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added: ‘I am appalled by the disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh tonight.
‘My thoughts are with the officer and his family. There is no place in our society for those who seek to harm public servants protecting communities.’