Police seek help to identify suspect in Lyra McKee murder

Updated

Police investigating the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry have called for the public's assistance in identifying a short, stocky suspect they believe is responsible for her death.

Releasing footage of the suspects, PSNI Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said that people in the area at the time of the murder saw this young man and his associates.

"I think people in the community know who they are and I'm asking them today to come forward to help us," Mr Murphy said.

"I'm releasing footage today from the night of Lyra's murder and I want to appeal to anyone who recognises or knows these people to talk to us."

Three men – one said to have been carrying a crate of petrol bombs – were seen walking across Central Drive in Creggan area a minute before the killing.

Speaking about the main suspect, Mr Murphy said: "He is shorter than both of the other men and is of stocky build.

"It is of my belief that he is the gunman that fired indiscriminately into the crowd and placed the community and police officers at risk.

"I believe he is the person who took the life of Lyra McKee."

Mr Murphy said the PSNI has received widespread support from people in Derry, adding that they have the information to unlock details of who is responsible for Ms McKee's death.

He made a direct appeal to the gunman asking him to come forward and explain why he fired the shots and explain to Ms McKee's family why she died.

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