The RUC is investigating a possible drug link to the killing of a man at his home in the Waterside area of Derry early this morning.
The 37-year-old man, Christopher "Cricky" O'Kane, died in hospital after being shot four times in the stomach at his home in Milldale Crescent.
According to local sources, he was heavily involved in the drugs trade.
An RUC spokesman said that a group of three or four men were involved in the murder. One of the gunmen is believed to have been carrying a long-barrelled weapon.
The murder was condemned by SDLP Assembly-member Ms Annie Courtney. "It is sad to think of a life having been taken but goodness knows how many young people he has sent on the road to destruction," she said.
The murder was also condemned by Democratic Unionist MLA Mr William Hay, who lives in the area.
"Irrespective of the motives people may give for carrying out this murder, it has to be condemned. Nobody has the right to decide who should live or die."
Mr Hay appealed to anyone with information to get in touch with Waterside RUC Station.
He said people in the area were shocked at this latest atrocity.
"They thought that we had all moved on and we would not be seeing this type of thing again. Quite obviously there are people out there who feel they are judge, jury and executioner," he said.
PA