Man (28) murdered in south Belfast on Thursday night

Police have launched a murder investigation after a 28-year-old man died following a shooting in the Ormeau Road area of south Belfast.

Up to four men were involved in the attack which claimed the life of the man, the PSNI said today.

The men forced their way into a house in the Walmer Street area of south Belfast on Thursday night around 10.30 pm and shot the man.

He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries, police said.

The man’s partner and child were in the house at the time of the shooting.

As forensic officers worked at the murder scene on Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Campbell appealed to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area, or who knows anything about the shooting, to contact the PSNI.

Sinn Féin First Minister Martin McGuinness said the killing was "terrible" and "totally and absolutely out of order" and anyone with information must contact the PSNI. He offered his sympathy to the murdered man's family.

DUP junior Minister Emma Pengelly said she was “shocked and saddened” by the death.

She said her thoughts were with the murdered man’s family and called for anyone with information to bring it to the police.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Hargey condemned those responsible for the killing, saying “there is widespread shock in the area this morning as people hear of this killing”.

“I would call on anyone with information on this shooting to bring it forward to the PSNI so that those responsible can be caught and taken off the streets,” added Ms Hargey.