POLICE LAUNCH KILLERS OF BOY
Family devastated after teenager is stabbed to death in broad daylight
THE family of a murdered schoolboy has been left “absolutely devastated” after his horrific killing at a train platform in Glasgow. Justin McLaughlin, 14, was attacked at High Street station in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon.
The teenager was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment to serious injuries but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Police, who have since launched a murder inquiry, are hunting those responsible for his death.
Brian Geddes, senior investigating officer of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, addressed the media outside the train station on Sunday afternoon.
When asked how Justin’s family is doing, detective chief inspector Geddes said: “We have had specialist officers deployed to the family.
“As you can imagine, they’re absolutely devastated by what has occurred so that is why it’s important for us to appeal to anyone who may have information or anyone who witnessed the incident, to come forward to help the police and also to get Justin’s family answers.”
Part of the murder incident was captured on CCTV, which was described as a “huge advantage” by DCI Geddes.
Footage is currently being investigated by officers.
DCI Geddes also revealed that a weapon had been used during the attack.
He said: “I’m aware of the information that is circulating around Justin being stabbed.
“The information that we’ve gathered would suggest that a knife was involved in the incident, however, it’s very early stages in respect of that matter and that’s something we’re looking to progress.
“We still need the help of the public. Anyone who was there at the time who witnessed something or anyone who has learned any information since, we’d urge them to come forward and help us achieve what we’re trying to achieve.
“We are appealing for any help we can get and that includes anyone involved.”
The senior investigating officer went on to say that it is difficult to say whether the attack was targeted or not.
He added: “It’s something that we will keep an open mind all the way through until we know exactly what happened.
“I would say I don’t believe [that other members of the public are in danger].
“It’s very difficult to comment on whether it’s a targeted attack or not given the early stage of investigation.
“I appreciate that there will be a level of concern around this incident – for me our focus very much just now is establishing what happened yesterday afternoon and getting those answers we need for the investigation and for Justin’s family.”
When asked if the suspect/suspects made off on foot from the station exit or by boarding a train, DCI
Geddes said: “The work around the movements of those involved is still under review.
“There are certainly a number of witnesses we need to speak to first before we have a clear picture of what we’re looking for.”
A number of flower tributes had been left beside the entrance to the station, which remained taped off by police. Several officers and vehicles, including incident response, were guarding the scene as investigations continued.
Detective Inspector Marc Francey, of British Transport Police, added: “This was a shocking act of violence in broad daylight, which has seen a boy tragically lose his life. We are working closely with Police Scotland and doing all we can to find those responsible, and I would urge any witnesses, or anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious, to contact us as soon as possible.
“We will also be increasing our uniformed patrols in the local area in the coming days to help reassure the travelling public.”
It is not yet known how long the station will remain closed.
Detectives have set up an online portal to encourage members of the public to submit information.
Visit mipp.police.uk/operation/ SCOT21S32-PO1.
Police Scotland can be contacted by calling 101 and quoting incident number 2280 of Saturday, October 16.
BTP can also be contacted by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 394 of Saturday, October 16.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.