Yahoo News Police release new footage of teenager suspected of murdering Lyra McKee
Police investigating the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry have released new footage of the man they think killed her.
The 29-year-old was shot in the head on April 18 during rioting on the Creggan estate. The New IRA has admitted responsibility for her murder.
Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) have now appealed for help in identifying the suspect and his associates.
PSNI Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said the crowd in Creggan that night were in their teens and early 20s, and he believes the killer is a teenager.
He said: “I want to find the people who murdered Lyra and I believe the information that can help us bring those responsible to justice lies within the local community.
"Approximately 100 people were on the ground on the night Lyra was murdered – people saw the gunman and his associates. I think people within the community know who they are. I’m asking them to come forward and help us."
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The footage, filmed about a minute before the fatal short was fired, shows three men walking across Central Drive, the tallest of whom is carrying a crate of petrol bombs towards the crowd.
The second tallest is wearing dark jeans and Nike trainers and has a scarf camouflaging his face.
Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said the shortest of the three, who he describes as "stocky", is their main suspect: "It’s my belief he is the gunman that fired indiscriminately into the crowd, placed the community and police officers at risk and took the life of Lyra," he said.
"People know who he is. I recognise people living in Creggan may feel it’s difficult to come forward to speak to police. I want to provide a personal reassurance that we are able to deal with these concerns sensitively."
He added: "At Lyra’s funeral on Wednesday we heard many messages about the potential for a better future but as I have said previously, such sentiment will all be in vain if collectively we cannot tackle the malign influence that some individuals continue to exert over our communities."
So far 140 people have provided images, footage and other details to police, he said - but more is needed.
"Such information simply gets me through the door but it doesn’t get me to a courtroom.
“I need people to contact my team, to talk to us about what they know. I would urge anyone who has any information, or who witnessed the murder, to contact the police on 101.
"Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111."
