Lyra McKee murder: Police release new footage of man they believe shot journalist

Public urged to help officers in identifying suspect

Police in Northern Ireland have released new footage of the man they believe shot dead Lyra McKee.

At a press conference on Friday morning, detective superintendent Jason Murphy said officers wanted to speak to three men shown in the clip, one of which is the journalist’s suspected killer.

The 29-year-old reporter was shot in the head last Thursday during a night of rioting in the Creggan area of Derry. The New IRA, a Republican dissident group has since accepted responsibility for her death.

The footage shows the men walking together across Central Drive in Creggan area about a minute before McKee’s murder. A man in front is said to be carrying a crate of petrol bombs.

Police have called for the public’s help in identifying the short, stocky suspect walking behind him, who they believe is responsible for her death.

“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.”

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

Lyra McKee was shot and killed during riots in Derry (AFP/Getty) (Jess Lowe Photography/AFP/Getty)

“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 Police Service of Northern Ireland has received widespread support from people in Derry, adding they have the information to unlock details of who is responsible for 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 McKee’s family why she died.

Investigators said McKee was standing next to a police vehicle when she was accidentally shot by a dissident republican aiming at officers.

Footage shared by a member of the public on social media last week appeared to show a gunman firing at least two shots from behind a wall.

The man, dressed in dark clothing and with his head and face covered, could be seen leaning around the barrier surrounding the Creggan Day Centre to aim towards police.

He fired two shots, three seconds apart, with what appeared to be a handgun before screaming could be heard.

The suspect then left and accomplices could be seen crouching to the ground where the gunman stood, potentially to pick up any evidence.

Four men throwing petrol bombs and missiles at police, shortly before a shooting in Derry on 18 April (Niall Carson/PA Wire)

The gunman and three accomplices, who were also wearing dark clothing, hoods and face coverings, bear a striking similarity to men photographed launching missiles at police shortly before the shooting.

Additional reporting by PA