Six men being questioned by detectives regarding the senior detective’s attempted murder

Six suspects are being questioned by detectives from the Police Service Major Investigation Team in connection with the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell. The off-duty police officer was shot several times by two gunmen on Wednesday 22 February at a sports complex on Killyclogher Road in Omagh. The attack took place in front of crowds of adults and children, and Caldwell remains in a critical but stable condition in the hospital.

Three men aged 38, 45, and 47 were arrested under the Terrorism Act in Omagh and Coalisland on Thursday 23 February. A 22-year-old man was arrested in Coalisland the following day, while a 43-year-old man was arrested in Stewartstown on Friday 24 February and a 71-year-old man in Omagh on Saturday.

Assistant Chief Constable for Crime Department Mark McEwan described Caldwell as a “highly respected senior investigating officer who dedicates himself to the service of others, both as a police officer and as an active member of the Omagh community.” McEwan added that the attack on Caldwell, who was accompanied by his young son, showed “the absolute callousness of those responsible” and that it was “utterly disgusting that the gunmen carried out this attempted murder in front of crowds of adults and children.”

McEwan appealed to anyone with information to come forward, and said that detectives were particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was in the area or who witnessed what happened. He also requested that anyone who may have captured dash-cam or mobile footage of the incident contact officers on 101, quoting reference number 1831 of 22/02/23.

Information, including photos, CCTV and dash-cam footage, can also be provided to police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI23S03-PO1. McEwan assured the community in Omagh that the police were doing everything in their power to bring those responsible to justice.