THE Andersonstown News has learned that ball-bearings were fired at the emergency services on Tuesday night, breaking two windows in an ambulance as it raced to help the victim of a paramilitary-style shooting in Turf Lodge.
The glass on the ambulance’s passenger side door was shattered and the front windscreen hit twice as paramedics went to the aid of a man in his 30s who sustained a gunshot wound to his leg at around 10.30pm in the attack in Ardmonagh Gardens. The man was taken to hospital for treatment but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
It’s not known whether the ball-bearings were fired from a BB gun or from a catapult. The ambulance – an early-responder estate car – was targeted by a gang drinking at the Top of the Rock not far from the scene of the shooting.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, local Sinn Féin Councillor Janice Austin said: “I want to condemn the shooting attack which took place on Tuesday night and condemn the actions of on-street drinkers who attacked our vital emergency services – in this instance, the ambulance attending to the scene. This shouldn’t be happening plain and simple. The community does not want either happening in their area.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Detectives would ask anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area or who has any information to contact CID at Woodbourne on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
