Man wounded in suspected Glasgow shooting incident

POLICE were investigating a suspected shooting in the east end of Glasgow today which left a man hospitalised.
Police at the scene of a shooting in Westmuir Street in Glasgows East End. Picture: HeMediaPolice at the scene of a shooting in Westmuir Street in Glasgows East End. Picture: HeMedia
Police at the scene of a shooting in Westmuir Street in Glasgows East End. Picture: HeMedia

The man, who has not been identified, suffered injuries following the incident in the Parkhead area of the city at lunchtime.

An armed response unit from Police Scotland was sent to Westmuir Street after the force received reports of gunfire in the area shortly after 1pm.

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Officers who arrived at the scene found the man had a suspected gunshot wound. He was taken to the Royal Infirmary hospital by ambulance.

It is understood the victim was in one of the tenement closes which line the street when he was shot in the shoulder. Unconfirmed reports suggested he had been in one of the properties working for a heating installation firm at the time of the incident.

The victim is understood to have been the subject of a targeted attack and was not the subject of a random attack. The man is believed to be conscious in hospital and has been able to speak to staff.

Social media users suggested the man was an electrician who worked for City Technical Services, part of City Refrigeration Services, a major refrigeration and air conditioning supplier business, although this could not be confirmed by police. One user on Twitter said the man went by the name, ‘Higgy’, although again, his identity could not be officially confirmed.

In the aftermath of the incident, police cordoned off the street between its junctions with Sorby Street and Quarryknow Street.

The area where the suspected shooting took place is near Parkhead Cross and is predominantly residential, comprising of a mix of old and new properties, although a garage sits on one side of the road.

This evening, the street remained closed off as the police investigation continued. Forensics officers wearing white overalls could be seen entering one of the tenemental properties on the street.

Residents in the area spoke of their shock at learning of the alleged shooting in broad daylight.

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Anne Hegharty said she was passing through Westmuir Street just after 3pm when she came across the police cordon.

“It’s sad to have something like this on your doorstep, it’s a good area and you don’t expect it,” she said. “It makes you think twice about just walking down the street.”

John Galt, 42, said that although he did not hear gunshots, he heard a large amount of sirens in the area at around 1.30pm.

“There was some amount of police,” he said. “I think it’s appalling what’s meant to have happened. You’re talking about a shooting in the middle of the day, it’s shocking.

“I don’t know who’s meant to have been shot, but a few folk are saying that it looks like a deliberate attack, a revenge attack, but I don’t know myself.”

One Parkhead resident, who did not wish to be named, said the suspected shooting was “targeted.”

He explained: “It’s meant to have been arranged, from what I’ve heard. I don’t think it’s an accident, but it’s still pretty disturbing.”

Twitter users also posted updates telling of their shock after the incident. One user, Erin, wrote: “Someone got shot at the bottom of Westmuir street jeezo Parkhead just gets worse.”

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Joe McGowan posted: “A shooting in Westmuir Street! The East End of Glasgow is ****** no well man.”

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that a man has been taken to hospital with a suspected gunshot wound following an incident in Westmuir Street.

“The incident was reported to police at around 1.10pm. Officers are on the scene and enquiries are continuing.”