The gang which shot a Creggan man six times in the legs on Tuesday evening also threatened 'to give the same' to his 14 year old sister, it's been claimed.
It has also emerged that the victim tried to fend off his attackers before being beaten back by the butts of their guns.
During the shooting, which occured as the victim lay in bed, a bullet came through the ceiling striking a downstairs radiato
r.
"They could have killed someone," said mother Kitty Dalzell.
The five man armed gang stormed the house seconds after father Tony had left. Mrs. Dalzell was at work and her daughter aged 14 and her two friends aged 14 and 16 were at home when the gang broke in.
"They were obviously watching the house for a while," she told the Journal.
Shooting victim Tony is still recovering in hospital and has had a steel pin inserted in his left leg.
Mrs Dalzell said' "The surgeon has told us they were obviously shooting at random."
The gang walked calmly up to the Iniscarn Crescent home of the Dalzell family before storming inside. They then told the 14 year-old girl and her friend to remain on the sofa and searched the house for Tony.
"They didn't say anything until I went to move my leg. Then they threatened me. One said; 'Are you deaf? I told you not to move or you'll get the same.' One of the men searched the kitchen and back hall. Another pulled the curtains before three of them searched upstairs."
Two gun men stood guard over the teenagers.
"They all wore dark green camoflage trousers, raincoats and scarfs on their faces," said the teenage girl.
Mrs. Dalzell then stated: "I want answers and if that means meeting with these people, then that is what I want. What gives them the right to come into our family home, shoot my son and threaten my teenage daughter and her young friends. What justifies that?"
Father Tony then added: "We are living here 27 years and not once has bother come to the door. Tony has no criminal record and no convictions for drugs or anything else."
Kitty added: "We refuse to leave the area, we have good neighbours and like living here so this gang isn't going to scare us off."
Police believe the gunmen made off on foot, two up Iniscarn Crescent and the other three via the cemetery.
Motive
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Detectives are working to establish a motive for the shooting and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the Iniscarn Crescent, Bligh's Lane, St Mary's roundabout or Kildrum Gardens area around 8pm. Anyone who may have noticed a number of males acting suspiciously, or any vehicles that seemed out of place, is asked to contact CID at Strand Road on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity number on 0800 555 111."
