A man has been shot dead today in South Belfast.
The shooting happened in the Markets area close to the city centre, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was investigating.
The Markets is a republican/nationalist residential neighbourhood.
The man was shot on the street at around 9am.
Small number of people still here at the police cordon in the markets area pic.twitter.com/HNtVdf9KdY
— Jordan Moates (@jordan_utv) May 5, 2015
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said: "This is a horrendous crime and those responsible have shown no regard for anyone that could have been caught in the middle of it during the school rush hour.
"Witnesses have described how the man was shot in the street.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the individual's family at this traumatic time.
"People here want to move on from the violence of the past. This community will reject those who bring murder and mayhem to our streets. I would appeal to anyone with any information to bring it forward as soon as possible."
The scene at the Markets where a high-profile republican was shot dead this morning pic.twitter.com/PrfX9RR37x
— Belfast Live (@BelfastLive) May 5, 2015
A police statement said: "PSNI can confirm that a man has been shot dead in Welsh Street in south Belfast.
"The incident was reported at 9.15am this morning."