A 35 year-old man has been arrested in Belfast as detectives investigate the deaths of two people found in a flat in the city earlier today.
He has been taken to Musgrave Police Station for questioning after the bodies of a man and a woman were found in the apartment in the Kinniard Close area on Monday afternoon.
Local sources claim the victims both suffered stab wounds.
Several nearby homes were evacuated amid a major police operation in the area.
Police have confirmed that two people were found dead but have not confirmed any further details, insisting the investigation was at an extremely early stage.
'Brutal attack'
"It was a very brutal attack that has resulted in the loss of life," said SDLP Councillor Paul McCusker.
"We would appeal for anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant they think it may be, to urgently pass that on to the police."
Mr McCusker believes the victims were targeted because of their "vulnerability".
"There is a lot of shock, anger and sadness here in the community hearing this news.
"These poor people and families had to be told that their loved ones have been killed in such a horrific and barbaric way."
Shock
He added: "That has caused lots of shock and anger right across the community."
Witnesses reported seeing a man wielding a knife.
Sinn Fein councillor JJ Magee appealed to the community to do all they can to assist police during their investigation into the deaths. "This tragedy has shocked and saddened the local community," he reiterated.
Detectives investigating the deaths of two people at a flat in Kinnaird Close in north Belfast have made an arrest.
The 35 year old man has been arrested as part of the investigation and has been taken to Musgrave police station for questioning.— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) December 23, 2019
Mr Magee said there would have been many children in the area around the time of the incident due to the Christmas holidays.
Police forensic officers were examining the scene of the incident through Monday afternoon.
A PSNI helicopter was also circling above the area at intervals throughout the day.
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery, said: "At around 12.55pm police received a report from a member of the public that the bodies of two people had been discovered in a flat in the area.
"The circumstances of the deaths will now be subject to investigation and post-mortem examinations will take place in due course."
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call shortly after 1pm.
