Gun attacks on two homes linked to ‘toxic world of drugs’

Gun attacks on two separate houses in north Belfast over the weekend are connected to “the toxic world of drugs”, according to a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member.

Brian Kingston told BBC News NI those involved needed to “get off the backs” of people in the community.

Children were among those in a house on Ainsworth Street when shots were fired on Saturday night.

Police said they are treating this incident, as well as another shooting at a home on Woodvale Avenue on Friday, as linked and with the “utmost seriousness” and are “working to establish a motive”.

A bullet hole could still be seen through the living room window.

Those present inside the property at the time, including children, were not harmed but damage was caused.

Kingston said that the incidents involved people who are “from outside this area”, adding that the “firing of shots” was rare in recent years.

“We don’t want their toxic drug culture, they should leave people at peace,” he said.

“It is horrific to think that in the very week of Christmas, these criminals were prepared to fire shots through the living room window.

“It is entirely reckless. Those people are not wanted in this area.”

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) councillor Ron McDowell told BBC News NI the attacks were “unbelievable”.

“There is real concern about gunmen in the streets. Only for the grace of God we could have been looking at a fatality.

“It must be condemned by everyone,” he added. “If you are thinking of bringing guns onto these streets then you’ve no place in our community.”