OFFICERS INVESTIGATING THE murder of a prominent former member of the Continuity IRA have called the killing ‘brutal and ruthless’.
Detectives from Serious Crime Branch are appealing for information following the fatal shooting of Tommy Crossan in Springfield Road area of west Belfast yesterday.
Crossan was shot at close range near the Peter Pan Centre. The 43-year-old leaves behind a wife, six children and five grandchildren.
Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Jonathan Roberts said:
“At around 4.45pm Mr Crossan was shot a number of times at close range in his upper body area as he sat in the office of the business of a family friend within the Peter Pan complex.
“A red coloured BMW, believed to be linked to the murder, was found burned out a short time later in the Beechmount Grove area of the city.
It has not been reported as stolen to the police, however there have been a number of sightings of the vehicle in the area over recent weeks.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area around this time yesterday afternoon and who may have witnessed any unusual or specific activity or vehicles in the area.
“We are particularly appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the red coloured BMW car, registration number OEZ 9177, which was seen leaving the area around the time of the murder or anyone who may have seen it in the Beechmount Grove area later on.
The murder of Mr Crossan on the Springfield Road yesterday was a brutal and ruthless attack which has no place in society.
A 26 year old man.was arrested in West Belfast yesterday and is being questioned at the Serious crime suite at Antrim Station.
Anyone with information can call 02890 259542 or alternatively anyone wishing to pass information anonymously can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.
Read: Detectives investigating murder of dissident republican arrest 26-year-old
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