DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder probe after a 33-year-old man died following a shooting in north Belfast.

He was shot three times in the leg in an alleyway at Butler Place close to Elmfield Street, near the Crumlin Road at about 10.05 pm Friday night.

The father-of-four was tended to by his nurse wife before paramedics arrived on the scene.

The victim was taken with what police described as serious injuries to the Royal Victoria Hospital in west Belfast.

Despite the valiant efforts of doctors, he died from his injuries.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the shooting to contact them.

Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly has condemned the killing of a man in his 30s in north Belfast.

Mr Kelly said: “I unreservedly condemn the murder of a father of four in Ardoyne last night.

“This killing has shocked the local community in north Belfast.

“This is the second such killing carried out in this area in the last six months by an armed gang which is clearly at war with the local community.

“I am calling on anyone with information on both of these killings to bring it forward to the PSNI

“There can be no place for such actions in our society.

“Those who carried out this terrible act do not represent the local community in north Belfast.

“They need to realise that they have no support and get off the backs of the community.

“The community demands that they call a halt to these actions immediately,” he added.