The new IRA group blamed for killing journalist Lyra McKee were reportedly putting on a 'show of strength' for television cameras that were seen filming at the location where the reporter was shot and killed only hours before.
The gunman was aiming to kill police when the 29-year-old journalist, who was standing near a police 4x4 vehicle when she was killed.
Former Top of the Pops presenter Reggie Yates had been filming a documentary for MTV in the Creggan area of the city last Thursday when violence erupted.
The Times reports that a widely circulated Snapchat post did the rounds on Thursday, which carried the caption: "Reggie Yates at the shops, I am buzzing."
Yates is understood to have been filming an episode for his new eight-part series called 'Reggie Yates vs The World' - which will focus on how Brexit has reignited tensions in Northern Ireland.
Some members of the community fear that the presence of MTV crews may have drawn more young people onto the streets and spurned on violent thugs.
"Tensions had been rising in the area and there is a strong belief that they were being stoked by dissidents for the benefit of the film crew,” one person told The Times.
CCTV released by Police Service Northern Ireland captured Lyra's final moments at around 10pm, when she stood among a crowd of other innocent bystanders and raised her phone in the air, apparently to photograph the violence.
Two teens, aged 18 and 19, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act in connection with Lyra's murder.
During the Derry riot, petrol bombs were hurled at police by violent masked thugs and two cars were hijacked and set on fire.
According to the detective leading the hunt for Lyra's killers, a new breed of terrorist is now on the rise in Northern Ireland.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said that "a new breed of terrorist coming through the ranks, and that for me is a very worrying situation."
The New IRA is an amalgam of armed groups opposed to the peace process and it recently claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March.
DS Murphy conceded there remains fear of reprisals for giving information to police from the shadowy gunmen.
"Individuals continue to exert influence over communities, not just in the Creggan but in other parts of the communities as well," he said.
"This intimidation and fear creates a real concern for local residents to come and talk to us as police officers.
"The individuals responsible for Lyra's murder continue to hide in the shadows."
He said her murder was not just an attack on Miss McKee, but on "the fabric of this community", before adding that her "killers have succeeded in only one thing, and that is in uniting the entire community in condemnation."
MTV said in a statement released to the Sunday Times: "We can confirm that a production company was filming a documentary series for MTV in Northern Ireland and was present in the Creggan area where journalist Lyra McKee was tragically shot and killed.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to Lyra's family and friends and our thoughts are with the people of Derry during this tragic time."
