Lyra McKee murder: police issue CCTV of suspected gunman after young journalist, 29, shot dead during Derry riots

Megan White19 April 2019

Police have issued CCTV which appears to show the moment a gunman fired at journalist Lyra McKee.

The 29-year-old was killed during disturbances in Derry on Thursday night and died later in hospital.

Officers were carrying out a search operation in the Creggan area of Derry aimed at disrupting dissident republicans ahead of this weekend's commemoration of the 1916 Dublin uprising that led to Irish independence.

Police Service Northern Ireland have now released mobile phone footage which shows the masked suspect, clad in black, point a gun from behind cover and fire towards police and a crowd of onlookers.

Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead in Northern Ireland
Getty Images

A second suspect, dressed in black with light trainers, is then seen crouching at the same spot and reaching towards the ground.

In separate footage, Ms McKee can be seen among a crowd of people stood by a police vehicle moments before she was shot.

She raised her mobile phone into the air, apparently to take a photo of a violent confrontation between police and a group believed to be dissident republicans.

A third clip shows the masked shooter head-on, standing yards from a burning vehicle, as he steps from behind a wall then points a handgun towards police and bystanders.

Forensics officers at the scene in Londonderry, Northern Ireland
PA

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "We are issuing CCTV from the incident to encourage anyone with information to make contact with us."

"We also know that a range of footage is circulating on social media however I cannot stress enough how important it is that people who were in the area last night and who recorded video and took photos share what they have with us via our Major Incident Public Portal," he added.

"People saw the gunman and people saw those who goaded young people out onto the streets, people know who they are."

The gunman is only seen to emerge from behind cover for several seconds to aim the handgun.

Hundreds gathered in Derry for the vigil
AFP/Getty Images

Timestamps show the pieces of footage were recorded between 9.58pm and 10.05pm.

Police have blamed the New IRA for the killing in the Creggan estate.

DS Murphy said: "The answers to what happened last night lie within the community. I am asking people to do the right thing for Lyra McKee, for her family and for the city of Derry/Londonderry and help us stop this madness."

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