Murder hunt after shooting victim dies
Detectives launched a murder inquiry today after a young man shot in the head died in hospital.
Darren Thompson, 22, was shot in the head at Woodburn Park in the Waterside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, as he walked to work on Wednesday morning.
Two men and a woman remain in police custody being questioned about the murder.
The shooting has prompted fears of a loyalist feud erupting in Derry.
Meanwhile, police searching the Lincoln Courts area in an operation linked to the killing today found coffee jar bombs, blast bombs incendiary devices and pipes suitable for manufacturing pipe bombs.
British army search teams have joined police in the continuing operation.
Late on Wednesday night a woman was arrested after a gun, ammunition and two pipe bombs were discovered in a house at Lincoln Courts.
She is being questioned in connection with Mr Thompson’s murder.
Two men, who were in custody being questioned about a gun attack on the Cosy Inn at Church Brae are also being questioned about the murder.
Police chiefs have sought to dampen speculation that the Ulster Defence Association and the rival Ulster Volunteer Force are engaged in a shooting war in the city.
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Sheridan said: “It is our understanding that there is not a feud in the north west sanctioned by paramilitary leaders. It is more personal score-settling by individuals linked to organisations who have access to weapons.”
