Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers investigating the suspected murder of Lurgan man Shane Whitla in January have carried out a search in the Tannaghmore area of the Co Armagh town and recovered a number of items.
Whitla was gunned down in Lurgan on January 12 in what was alleged to have been a pre-arranged meeting. The 39-year-old father-of-four was shot in an alleyway off Woodville Street, but managed to make his way to Lurgan Park where he eventually collapsed and died.
He had been hit several times, including once in the back and it is suspected that he was ‘executed’ over a drug debt to a notorious crime gang known as ‘The Firm’. Now detectives from PSNI Major Investigation Team who are investigating his murder have been in the area on the hunt for items.
Detective Inspector McGarvey said: “Following a search carried out this evening, a number of items have been removed for further examination. We are reiterating our appeal for anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1702 of 12/01/23.”
Anyone who wishes to provide information anonymously can do by ringing Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Info, including photographs, CCTV and vehicle dash-cam footage, can also be provided to police through the major incident public portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI23S01-PO1.
Three men have been charged with Whitla’s murder.
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