Carlow Shooting: Evan Fitzgerald & Gun Fascination | Irish Times
Gardaí Investigate Fatal Shooting at Carlow Shopping Center
Updated June 02, 2025
Gardaí are investigating an incident at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow where a man died by suicide after discharging a firearm. The man, 22-year-old Evan Fitzgerald, had a prior court appearance related to firearms charges and was out on bail.
according to Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, Gardaí responded to reports of a man firing a shotgun in the shopping center. An unarmed unit witnessed the suspect discharging the weapon into the air. armed Gardaí then approached and identified themselves, at wich point the suspect fatally shot himself. No Gardaí discharged their weapons.
The incident caused widespread panic as shoppers fled the scene. A young girl sustained a minor injury while running. Gardaí confirmed that the man acted alone and had discharged the firearm multiple times inside the shopping center. The Irish Defense Forces explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team was called in after a bottle containing an unknown substance was found on the deceased.
The Garda investigation will focus on determining the source of the firearm used in the shooting. It is not believed to be connected to the guns seized from Fitzgerald last year during an investigation into firearms purchased on the darknet. That prior investigation involved the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Emergency Response Unit.
“This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present,” Assistant Commissioner Hilman said.
Gardaí quickly confirmed the shooter’s ethnicity and nationality to counter disinformation circulating on social media. The Garda Technical Bureau examined the scene, and access was initially restricted to allow for vehicle retrieval. A family liaison officer has been appointed to support the deceased’s family. Authorities are asking anyone who recorded footage of the incident to come forward.
What’s next
the Garda investigation continues,and a file will be prepared for the Carlow County Coroner. The Office of the Police Ombudsman, fiosrú, has also been notified, as is required by the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024, when a person dies or is seriously injured during an interaction with Gardaí.