Man dies after Belfast apartment attack as murder investigation launched

A 51-year-old man has died following a violent assault inside an apartment building in east Belfast, prompting detectives to launch a murder investigation.

Police said Nicholas “Nicky” Gordon passed away after suffering serious injuries during an attack in the Holywood Road area earlier this week.

The incident, which police believe happened at around 4.45am on Tuesday, 12 May, involved a group of intruders entering an apartment building before assaulting another man and fleeing the scene.

Emergency services attended following a report made to police at approximately 8.25am that morning. Mr Gordon, who was in his fifties, was taken to hospital by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service but later died from his injuries.

His death has now escalated the case into a murder investigation being led by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team.

Police appeal for witnesses and footage

Detective Chief Inspector Duffie confirmed two arrests had already been made as part of the investigation.

“We received a report at around 8.25am on Tuesday, 12th May of an assault in the Holywood Road area, where a number of intruders had entered an apartment building and attacked another male, before making off,” he said.

“We believe the assault took place at around 4.45am that morning.

“Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and a man in his fifties was subsequently taken to hospital.

“Two people – a 24-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman – were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. They were later released on bail, to allow for further police enquiries.

“Sadly, the injured man, 51-year-old Nicholas (Nicky) Gordon, has now passed away and a murder investigation has been launched.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly difficult time and we are appealing to anyone who was in the Holywood Road area on Tuesday, 12th May and may have seen something, or who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation – including any dash-cam, CCTV or doorbell footage – to contact detectives on the 101 number, quoting reference 224 of 12/05/26.”

Investigation now focused on movements around Holywood Road

Detectives are continuing enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack, including identifying everyone involved and tracing movements in the area during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Police are urging anyone who may have been travelling through the Holywood Road area around the time of the assault, or who captured suspicious activity on cameras, to come forward.

Information can be provided by calling 101 and quoting reference 224 of 12/05/26.

Reports can also be submitted online via https://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.

Alternatively, anonymous information can be given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org.

The investigation remains ongoing.