There is no place in our society for this kind of brutality. Our immediate thoughts are with the victim and his family, and we hope he makes a full and complete recovery.
Our thoughts are also with those eyewitnesses to the incident, as well as those brave members of the public who intervened.
We recognise the distress and fear this incident will cause within the local community. We urge people not to share the deeply disturbing images or videos, as their graphic nature would only serve to retraumatise those involved.
We support the Police Service of Northern Ireland in their ongoing investigation and urge anyone with information, or relevant footage, to assist them. It is essential that the facts are established through proper investigation and due process.
We are committed to ensuring that violence and hatred in any form will not be allowed to divide our communities. We call for calm and for space to allow justice to take its course.
Jon Burrows MLA, Ulster Unionist Party
Naomi Long MLA, Alliance Party
Michelle O'Neill MLA, Sinn Féin
Gavin Robinson MP, Democratic Unionist Party
Claire Hanna MP, Social Democratic and Labour Party