Murder of Warren Crossan in Belfast ‘callous and reckless’, police say
Murder of Warren Crossan in Belfast ‘callous and reckless’, police say

Police have described the murder of a 28-year-old man in west Belfast on Saturday as callous and reckless.

Warren Crossan, who has significant links to dissident republicans, was shot a number of times in St Katharine’s Road on Saturday.

He was chased by two masked gunmen through streets packed with people and motorists before he was shot dead.

His father Tommy Crossan was a prominent dissident republican and was shot dead at a fuel depot in Belfast on Good Friday in 2014.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren McCartney told reporters links to organised crime have not been ruled out and it is too early to speculate on a motive.

He said: “This is a callous and reckless killing.

Bringing firearms out into residential streets of west Belfast in broad daylight just beggars belief.

“The gunmen did not give any thought to the risk this posed to the residents and members of the public carrying out their everyday business in the area.

“One of these shots struck a vehicle belonging to a local resident and that just goes to show the callousness that these gunmen had.

“While it is too early to speculate on a motive for the murder, links to an organised crime element have not been ruled out.

“However, I must state that the investigation is at a very early stage.

It will take its course and I will follow the evidence wherever it takes my team over the coming days.”