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A woman has died after shots were fired and petrol bombs thrown in a “terrorist incident” in Londonderry. 

Police said a 29-year-old woman was killed after shots were fired in the Creggan area of the city. 

Assistant chief constable Mark Hamilton, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said a murder inquiry had been launched after the death.

He said: “Sadly I can confirm that following shots being fired tonight in Creggan, a 29-year-old woman has been killed.”

“We are treating this as a terrorist incident and we have launched a murder inquiry.”

The unrest comes ahead of the Easter weekend where republicans mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, a time when dissidents are traditionally active.

Journalist Leona O’Neill said she was at the scene of the killing.

Writing on Twitter, she said: “I was standing beside this young woman when she fell beside a police Land Rover tonight in Creggan £Derry.

“I called an ambulance for her but police put her in the back of their vehicle and rushed her to hospital where she died. Just 29 years old. Sick to my stomach tonight.”

Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Robin Swann said news of the death was “devastating”.

He tweeted: “A precious life lost, we can’t go back to this nor can we allow others to drag us back.”

DUP councillor for Londonderry Graham Warke said it was a “very Sad night in Our City Londonderry”.

Mark H Durkan, SDLP MLA for Foyle, said he was “heartbroken and angry” by the killing.

“Just leaving Creggan, heartbroken and angry at the senseless loss of a young life,” he tweeted.

“Violence only creates victims, that’s all it ever has done. The thoughts and prayers of our city are with the young woman’s family and friends, may she rest in peace.”

Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said the killing in Derry was a “senseless loss of life”.

She said: “I am shocked and saddened at the tragic news that a young woman has been shot dead by so-called dissidents in the Creggan estate tonight.

“The murder of this young woman is a human tragedy for her family, but it is also an attack on all the people of this community, an attack on our peace process and an attack on the Good Friday Agreement.

“I unreservedly condemn those responsible for killing this young woman.

“We will remain resolute in our opposition to the pointless actions of these people who care nothing for the people of Derry.

“We remain united in our determination to building a better and peaceful future for all.”

Earlier, police called for “calm” as the disturbance broke out. 

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/shots-fired-and-petrol-bombs-thrown-in-londonderry-a4121951.html