Teenager Killed In Northern Ireland Shooting

A teenage girl has been shot dead and her sister seriously injured in a gun attack in a small village in Northern Ireland.

Police were called to a house in William Court, Bellaghy, near Magherafelt, County Derry.

The victim is believed to have celebrated her 18th birthday last week.

Her elder sister is thought to be in her early 20s and the mother of two young children.

Three people have been arrested - one on suspicion of murder and two suspected of assisting an offender.

Sinn Fein councillor Caoimhe Scullion, who lives in Bellaghy, said the tight-knit village had been plunged into "complete shock".

"We hear these stories happening everywhere else, but you never think it will happen on your doorstep," she said.

A PSNI spokesman said they received a report of the shooting shortly before 10.40am

He added: "At around 11.10am, a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and a 28-year-old male and 28-year-old female were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

"All three were arrested in the Toome area and have been taken to the Serious
Crime Suite at Antrim police station."

Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland's deputy first minister and Mid-Ulster MP, said: "People I have spoken to in the area... are in a state of shock.

"I would wish to extend my thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the victim at this terrible time."