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Investigation

Unusual gun used to kill ex-IRA commander Jock Davison

“We need to get this gun off the streets, and apprehend the killer.”

DETECTIVES INVESTIGATING THE murder of former IRA leader Jock Davison say an unusual type of gun was used by his killer.

The 47-year-old was shot on Welsh Street in the Markets area of Belfast as he walked to work at 9.09am on Tuesday 5 May.

The gunman shot him from behind before standing over him and shooting him four times in the head.

Jock Davison shooting Niall Carson Niall Carson

Appealing for information about the murder on the BBC Crimewatch programme this evening, Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes from Serious Crime Branch said:

The weapon and bullets used were an Eastern European type called Makarov. These 9mm bullets are unusual in as much as they will not work in most types of Western handgun. They are a slightly different size and can only be fired using a Makarov type gun.

davison murder - makarov type handgun PSNI PSNI

“This type of weapon and ammunition are extremely rare in Northern Ireland…Someone knows about this weapon and its ammunition. We need people with information to come forward on the non-emergency police number 101.”

Challenging Investigation 

Earlier this month detectives investigating the murder said the investigation was proving ‘very challenging’.

The gunman is reported to be approximately 5’6 and was wearing a black hooded waist-length rain jacket.

Police have issued a photo of a similar type jacket in the hope this may jog someone’s memory.

davison murder - dark hooded jacket PSNI PSNI

Geddes said:

He made his escape from the scene up an alleyway towards Stanfield Place. We need to know where he went next.

“We also believe the gunman may have been in the area some time before the shooting. A man fitting a similar description was seen standing at the junction of Welsh Street and McAuley Street at around 8.40am. A similar man was also seen with a red and white carrier bag, holding it with two hands on Welsh Street.

“They may be different people and they may be innocent members of the public. Either way, we need them to come forward so that they can be ruled out of our enquiries.

“Although the Markets is a residential area, it is very close to the city centre of Belfast and many people park cars there before walking to work. I would appeal again to anyone who parked a car in the Markets between 8-9am on Tuesday 5 May and then walked to work to contact detectives.”

“We are appealing for anyone who has any information about the murder, or who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area in the days and weeks leading up to the murder to contact us. We need to get this gun off the streets, and apprehend the killer.”

Read: Police admit investigation into Jock Davison’s murder is ‘very challenging’>

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