Murder victim Stephen Carson

TWO are to appear in court this morning charged with the murder of Stephen Carson who was blasted to death at his south Belfast home last week.

The 28-year-old was shot in front of his family in a house at Walmer Street off the Ormeau Road area last Thursday night around 10.45 pm.

Two men, aged 32 and 37, will face Court 10 at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for a first remand hearing charged with murder.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team have been granted an additional 24 hours to question a 39-year-old man.

All three men were arrested last Friday night following raids on homes in west Belfast.

A firearm was also recovered by police for forensic examination.

Mr Carson was having a meal with his partner and nine-year-old son when at least three men carrying a hammer and a shotgun burst into the house.

After a confrontation, Mr Carson ran into a downstairs bathroom.

He was shot in the head through the door of the bathroom from a shotgun.

The father-of-two later died in hospital from his severe injuries.

Detectives believe the murder was linked to a criminal feud.

Mr Carson was released from jail last October after serving a sentence for robbery.