Police probe into man’s gun death

The victim, a man in his 30s named locally as Scott Shields, was discovered lying on a grass court beside a tenement block.

Detectives are officially treating the death as unexplained but it is understood he took his own life.

Residents reported hearing a commotion in the middle of Broomhouse Gardens East at around 12.10am yesterday.

The area was cordoned off by police and a forensic tent was put in place while investigations were carried out.

Residents reported hearing a couple of gun shots, which they initially believed to be fireworks.

One resident, whose flat overlooks the area where the body was discovered, said the noise had also attracted his attention.

He said: “I heard two bangs about ten past 12 last night. I thought it was fireworks and I went through to the living room and said to my dad I thought I’d heard fireworks. He said he didn’t think it sounded like fireworks and went and looked out the window of the spare room and saw the bloke lying on the ground.”

A second man said: “There’s been a load of police tape here for hours and a tent up on the grass where they found him.

“People heard a couple of shots just after midnight and apparently one bloke who saw what happened has gone to the police station to give evidence.”

A police spokesman said the investigation was continuing, with house-to-house inquiries carried out.

He appealed for anyone in the area who may have seen or heard anything at the time to get in touch.

“The death of the man, who has not yet been identified, is currently being treated as unexplained.

“Officers attended at Broomhouse Gardens East, near its junction with Broomhouse Park, just after midnight following a call from the Scottish Ambulance Service. The man’s body was found on a grass area nearby.

“Anyone who was in the area around midnight and who may have seen or heard anything is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131-311 3131 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”