'Like something from Wild West' as drug runner killed in hail of gunfire in Dublin suburb 'on way to pipe-bomb rival' | 901UT3W | 2024-05-10 00:08:01
GARDAI are probing if the young man who was killed in a late night hail of gunfire in a Dublin suburb was on his way to pipe-bomb a rival.
It's just one of the theories investigators are examining after the victim, named locally as Josh Itseli, was shot dead in the Knocknarea Road area of Drimnagh at 12.15am on Monday morning.
Detectives suspect Itseli, 20, was in a car which was rammed by another vehicle in the area.
Following the collision, a number of gunmen are believed to have fired at least ten shots at Itseli's car in a scene described by one resident as "like something from the Wild West".
Three males including a teenage youth are in custody after gardai intercepted them making their escape.
The two cars involved in the collision were a black Mercedes Benz and a black Volkswagen Golf.
The injured man was treated at the scene by officers from the Armed Support Unit but was later pronounced dead.
As he was being treated, Gardai were also made aware of a pipe bomb which was later made safe by the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
Another theory is that a gang were lying in wait after establishing they were going to be targeted in a pipe bombing.
One source said: "This incident has all the elements of dis-organised crime.
"There's a possibility that the target of the pipe bombing was made aware of it and decided to strike first.
"This was a reckless shooting in a residential area and innocent people could have been caught up in it."
Three men – including two wearing bullet proof vests – were also arrested by the ASU in Slievebloom Road.
Gardai were responding to reports that three men had been seen running from the area.
It's not clear if the suspects were linked to the shooting or were pals of Itseli.
Gardai returned to the scene today to search for clues and found a weapon believed to have been used in the shooting on Monday evening.
DRUG RUNNER NOT LINKED TO GANG
They also seized a Silver Ford Focus in the Sperrin Road area as part of their investigation.
We can also reveal that Gardai are searching for a van in connection with the incident.
Footage of the victim receiving treatment at the scene and a video in which shots can be heard were widely shared on social media.
The victim is known as a "drug runner" in the south inner city but isn't linked to any major gang.
But we understand Gardai are probing if his links to a gang in the south inner city who had been linked to a dispute with other criminals are also being probed.
VICTIM PRONOUNCED DEAD AT SCENE
The investigation is being run by Supt Paul Maher from Sundrive Road Garda station.
He said today: "Last night, at approximately 12.15am Gardaí received a number of calls in relation to shots being fired at Knocknarea Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12.
"Gardaí responding to the scene discovered two vehicles a black Mercede Benz and a black Volkswagon Golf, which appeared to have been in a collision.
"A male in his early 20s was discovered with gunshot wounds. Responding Gardaí offered first aid and despite attempts by Gardaí and DFB paramedics the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
"Gardaí became aware of a potential explosive device on Knocknarea Court.
THREE ARRESTED & SCENE SEALED OFF
"The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was requested to attend the scene.
"Shortly after the reports of the shooting, a Garda Regional Armed Support Unit encountered three men on Slievebloom Road.
"Two are in their early 20's and one is a teenaged youth.
"The three men were arrested under S. 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and are detained at Garda Stations in Dublin."
The scene was sealed off today and victim's body remained.
Local residents reported being woken up by the sounds of what appeared to be a gunfight just outside their homes.
One man who lives on the street where the shooting happened told how he jumped out of bed when he heard what he thought was a car crash.
He said: "It sounded like one car came speeding down the road and crashed into another. I jumped out of bed straight away and went to look.
"People got out of the cars and all you could hear was the sounds of guns going off. It sounded like a machine gun with how fast it was going off."
Another resident heard commotion at the end of his street and left his house to see what happened.
SHOCKING SCENES
He was shocked to come across emergency services working on a man on the ground who had clearly suffered significant injuries.
He said: "Gardai were everywhere. They had the road closed off from all areas and there was at least one helicopter flying just above us.
"I could see what looked like a garda working on someone on the ground, pumping their chest or whatever they were trying to do to save him.
"He was just on the ground beside one of the cars and it looked like he was dead on the road."
Another resident said: "You could hear it, 'pop, pop, pop, pop, pop'. I saw one of them running, with a gun. And then of course there was loads of gardaí in the area, all over the place and blocking off the roads.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee condemned the shooting and warned: "The attack in Drimnagh last night was completely unacceptable and is not something we will tolerate on our streets."
Local councillor for Sinn Fein Daithí Doolan said:"Last night's shooting here in Drimnagh has left a young man dead, a family grieving and a community in shock. It was an attack on the whole community."
More >> https://ift.tt/TehpLZs Source: MAG NEWS