Paisley murder: Abattoir worker, 21, is shot dead

Stephen Pollock was described as a “lovely lad” by neighbours, and “a pleasant wee guy to know and to work with” by colleagues at Sandyford Abattoir.

It is understood he was known to police, but detectives investigating do not know why he was shot on Wednesday, at about 11:00pm.

Emergency services were called after the shooting in Weaver Terrace, Paisley, but Mr Pollock was found dead at the scene.

Divisional Commander George Nedley urged anyone with information to come forward.

“It’s a terrible loss of a young man’s life, particularly at this time of year, so close to Christmas,” he said.

“I would appeal to anyone with information that could lead us to establish what happened to Stephen to come forward.

“We are particularly interested in anyone who was with him yesterday, or knows where he was yesterday leading up to 11 o’clock in Weaver Terrace.

“I would appeal to anyone, put yourself in Stephen’s family’s position, search your conscience and if you’ve got information please come forward.”

Officers and forensic teams remained at the scene yesterday, and Mr Nedley said the presence will reassure the public.

He added: “The fact a young man died on the doorstep of a very quiet community will be a shock to them, but my officers are in the area to reassure them and also to establish how Stephen died.”

Staff at Sandyford Abattoir paid tribute to him.

John Kane, a security worker, said: “He was a very likeable person, and a very good worker.

“He kept himself to himself, he wasn’t a troublemaker, he just got on with his work.

“I’ve not got a clue why this might have happened.

“He was a pleasant wee guy to know and to work with.”

Yesterday, police had sealed off an area in and around Weaver Terrace. Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after 11.15pm on Wednesday evening and paramedics treated the victim, but there was little they could do to save the 21-year-old who was pronounced dead at the scene.

One friend of the family, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s such a shock.

Stephen was a lovely lad who’d had been in trouble when he was younger but had turned a corner and moved on with his life.

It’s truly awful what has happened. His mum will be in bits.”

Detectives and forensic officers were at the scene throughout Wednesday night and yesterday trying to piece together what happened.

A sniffer dog was brought in to help assist officers in their fingertip search of the area.

It was not clear whether the gunman fled on foot but police had also cordoned off a nearby lane and large area of wasteland yesterday.

Residents in the quiet Blackhall area of Paisley, where the shooting took place, said they were horrified.

One man said: “I was in all night and did not hear anything – I didn’t even hear gunfire. When I got up during the night I could see blue lights and saw police in the street. They must have been there all night.

“I have lived here 20 years and I have never seen anything like this. It is horrifying to think there has been a shooting.”

Another resident said: “This is horrific. I can’t believe this could happen around here. You hear about the odd fight but not someone getting shot.”

A woman added: “I was woken by the helicopter and blue lights. It’s terrifying to think this can happen so close to home.”