Victim executed by gunman in own home ‘was known to police’

A MAN who was shot in his own house in a targeted killing was known to police, it has been revealed.

Police said the attack on Brian Harkins, 45, was “not being treated as random”.

He was found by a friend, seriously injured outside his own house on Westmuir Place – a busy commuter road in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire – on Wednesday morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers, who have launched a murder inquiry after the attack, said last night that he had been known to authorities, though that is unlikely to have a significant impact on their inquiries.

The last-known sighting of Mr Harkins was on Tuesday evening, when he was seen with family who lived in the area.

Police have appealed for help to trace his movements in the hours leading up to his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Kenny Graham said: “The last sighting I have with respect to Brian is with family around 7:15 on Tuesday evening, so I’m keen to speak to anybody who offer us any assistance in terms of have they seen him? Do you know him? Have you seen him driving his black Renault Megane coupe motor car during Tuesday evening? Or anything at all that could assist us in tying down the movements of Brian, or indeed anyone who could have had contact with him during those periods?”

He said that Mr Harkins, who was unemployed, was “well known in the area” and that police had received a “reasonable response” from the community.

“Westmuir Place in Prospect Hill is a busy commuter road, it has a constant stream of traffic, it has a heavy volume of pedestrian traffic, too. To my mind, I am convinced that somebody has something that can assist us in this inquiry.”

White-suited forensic officers returned to the property yesterday to continue their examination of the scene, while a police sniffer dog examined the back garden and adjacent properties.

One neighbour said that the whole street had been shocked by the incident: “He was well known. He grew up around here, and was quite popular. We would have never have thought anything like that would happen to him.

“He didn’t have a lot of people around his home. He was friendly, he would help you out if you were stuck.”

During the day, floral tributes and cards were placed outside the house by family and friends.

Among the heart-felt messages left were: “I am going to miss you so much, you were my life. I love you.” “Rest In Peace, Brian. Gone but not forgotten”, and “You will always be in our thoughts.”