The victim of a brutal gangland shooting in Dublin has been identified as 20-year-old Josh Itseli.
The young man, from the Kylemore area of Dublin, was gunned down in a shocking incident in Drimnagh on Sunday night. Residents reported hearing up to 10 shots during what they described as a “wild west” style shootout in the streets, resulting in Josh’s tragic death on Knocknarea Road.
The fatal shooting is believed to have occurred after a collision between a Volkswagen Golf and a Mercedes vehicle outside a school at 12:15am on Bank Holiday Monday.
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(Image: Irish Mirror)
Gardai suspect that a feud between two rival gangs escalated into a violent confrontation, with gang members even bringing a pipe bomb to the scene. However, it’s understood the device, which was later made safe by the army’s Explosive Ordinance Unit, was not used and was found near the scene.
Two men and a teenager were later arrested in a badly damaged Ford Focus near Our Lady of Good Counsel church. They are currently being held at various Garda stations as a murder investigation gets underway, reports the Irish Mirror.
Family and friends of Josh are seeking answers as to what exactly happened, as a family friend told the Irish Mirror: “It’s shocking. You usually hear someone gets sick or died, but no, for just someone to finish everything in one minute. We are very shocked.”
(Image: PA)
Josh’s mother is reportedly in a state of shock and is not speaking at this time. The family friend said that she knows everything and that she is “just crying”.
They also said that Josh’s family is originally from the Congo and that he was born and went to school in Ireland. He also has two sisters.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has condemned the attack, stating: “The attack in Drimnagh last night is not something we will tolerate on our streets. I commend the Gardai for responding quickly, resulting in the speedy arrest of suspects. Tackling crime and ensuring safer streets continues to be a top priority for this Government.”
Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have any information to come forward. They can be contacted at Sundrive Garda Station on 01 666 6000.
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