A murder investigation has been launched after a 51-year-old man died following a break-in at an apartment building in east Belfast. Nicholas Gordon was attacked as a number of intruders entered the property on the Holywood Road early on Tuesday morning.
Police received a report of the assault at about 08:25 BST, but the incident is believed to have happened at about 04:45. Gordon was taken to hospital and later died from his injuries, with the ambulance service also attending the scene.
Det Ch Insp Duffie said a number of intruders entered the apartment building and attacked another male before making off. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it would continue to work at pace to seek others who may be involved. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
A 24-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and later released on bail. That leaves detectives still trying to piece together how a break-in in a residential block escalated into a murder inquiry.
Local reaction has centred on the fear the killing has brought to the area. DUP MLA David Brooks said incidents like this created fear and worry in the community, adding: “It’s not something that you expect to happen in your local community, but the nature of this being a break-in, people worry about their own homes and security as well.” Alliance Party MLA Peter McReynolds said the community was in shock and that such incidents did not normally happen in the area.
The killing has put the focus on what happened in the early hours inside the building and who else may have been involved. For now, police have one man dead, two people released on bail, and a neighbourhood waiting for answers.
