DETECTIVES have launched a murder inquiry after a man in his 20s cheated death in a gun attack today in west Belfast.

The attempt on his life happened at Distillery Court this morning just off the Falls Road.

Locals say the victim, who is known to police, was shot in a house and managed to stagger outside.

He sustained gunshot wounds to his face, chest, foot and arm.

Sinn Fein west Belfast MP Paul Maskey condemned those behind the shooting and said they needed to be “taken off the streets”

SDLP councillor Tim Attwood described the gun attack as “beneath contempt”.

“This can only happen if anyone with information comes forward to the police. We cannot allow the threat of violence to continue to plague the streets of west Belfast.”