02/12/2002
Man shot dead as he answered the door
A 38-year-old man was shot dead when he answered a call to the door of his home in Ballygowan, Co Down.
Police said that the victim, Mark Apsley, was called to the door of his house in Dickson Park at around 6.45am on Saturday when his six-year-old son answered a knock to the front door.
When his father came downstairs into the hallway a gunman fired a number of shots through a glass door. Mr Apsley died instantly.
The gunman then ran off and is believed to have escaped in a waiting car.
It is reported that the six-year-old boy did not witness the shooting as he had gone to into another room with his mother and two-year-old sister.
Detectives investigating the murder have not yet established a motive for the shooting.
Chief Inspector David Green, the detective leading the investigation, said the murder was "despicable" and added that there were no known links to indicate that the killing was sectarian or part of a loyalist feud.
Ulster Unionist assembly member Tom Hamilton unreservedly condemned the murder.
"The taking of a human life is a vile and evil act, made even more shocking because it was carried out when young children were present," he said.
“I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Dickson Park area to get in touch with the police as soon as possible so whoever is responsible for this despicable act can be brought to justice.”
(SP)
Police said that the victim, Mark Apsley, was called to the door of his house in Dickson Park at around 6.45am on Saturday when his six-year-old son answered a knock to the front door.
When his father came downstairs into the hallway a gunman fired a number of shots through a glass door. Mr Apsley died instantly.
The gunman then ran off and is believed to have escaped in a waiting car.
It is reported that the six-year-old boy did not witness the shooting as he had gone to into another room with his mother and two-year-old sister.
Detectives investigating the murder have not yet established a motive for the shooting.
Chief Inspector David Green, the detective leading the investigation, said the murder was "despicable" and added that there were no known links to indicate that the killing was sectarian or part of a loyalist feud.
Ulster Unionist assembly member Tom Hamilton unreservedly condemned the murder.
"The taking of a human life is a vile and evil act, made even more shocking because it was carried out when young children were present," he said.
“I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Dickson Park area to get in touch with the police as soon as possible so whoever is responsible for this despicable act can be brought to justice.”
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 November 2002
Door-to-door sales consumer campaign launched
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service (TSS) is campaigning on consumer rights relating to mail shots and door-to-door sales.
Door-to-door sales consumer campaign launched
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service (TSS) is campaigning on consumer rights relating to mail shots and door-to-door sales.
09 March 2018
Shots Fired At House In Coleraine
An investigation has launched after three shots were fired through the window of a house in Coleraine. The attack happened at a property in the Loughanhill Park area at around 11pm on Thursday, 08 March. No-one was injured. Police responded to reports that a man had tried to force entry through the front door using a hammer.
Shots Fired At House In Coleraine
An investigation has launched after three shots were fired through the window of a house in Coleraine. The attack happened at a property in the Loughanhill Park area at around 11pm on Thursday, 08 March. No-one was injured. Police responded to reports that a man had tried to force entry through the front door using a hammer.
11 August 2011
Shot Man's Wounds 'Not Life Threatening'
A 35-year-old man has been shot twice in the leg inside a house in Twinbrook on the outskirts of Belfast. A young girl and a woman were in the house in the Summerhill Drive area when the attack happened on Wednesday night. However, it is not believed that the man's injuries are life threatening.
Shot Man's Wounds 'Not Life Threatening'
A 35-year-old man has been shot twice in the leg inside a house in Twinbrook on the outskirts of Belfast. A young girl and a woman were in the house in the Summerhill Drive area when the attack happened on Wednesday night. However, it is not believed that the man's injuries are life threatening.
20 December 2021
Man Shot Dead At Family Home In West Belfast
A man shot dead in West Belfast on Saturday 18 December has been named as 31-year-old Mark Hall. According to police, two gunmen approached Mr Hall's family home on Rodney Drive shortly after 4:30pm.
Man Shot Dead At Family Home In West Belfast
A man shot dead in West Belfast on Saturday 18 December has been named as 31-year-old Mark Hall. According to police, two gunmen approached Mr Hall's family home on Rodney Drive shortly after 4:30pm.
30 May 2017
Police Appeal After Man Shot Dead In Bangor
Police are appealing for information following the murder of Colin Horner, who was shot in front of his three-year-old son at Sainbury's car park in Bangor on Sunday, 28 May. The boy was in the car at the time of the attack. It is understood Mr Horner, originally from Co Antrim, has loyalist links.
Police Appeal After Man Shot Dead In Bangor
Police are appealing for information following the murder of Colin Horner, who was shot in front of his three-year-old son at Sainbury's car park in Bangor on Sunday, 28 May. The boy was in the car at the time of the attack. It is understood Mr Horner, originally from Co Antrim, has loyalist links.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.