Police hail fresh appeal over shooting

Published on Wednesday 1 July 2009 09:57

POLICE today said a fresh appeal for witnesses to the shooting of father-of-two Douglas Downing had opened up fresh lines of inquiry.

Officers mounted a special late-night operation, stopping vehicles and speaking to passers-by in the Paisley Drive area of Willowbrae where the 39-year-old was shot by a masked gunman outside his home.

They hoped to find someone who may have witnessed the incident or seen a silver Mercedes which may have been the getaway car.

Today police said they had received a positive response to the appeal, speaking to around 120 members of the public. The force said new witnesses had come forward, helping to open up new lines of inquiry into the shooting.

Officers were in the area between 11pm and 1am to try and identify potential witnesses who may be making the same journeys a week later.

Mr Downing, who has now returned home after treatment in hospital, was blasted by a gunman with a shotgun as he returned from walking his dog in what police are convinced is a case of mistaken identity. A silver Mercedes car was seen speeding from the scene moments after the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0131 311 3131 or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.