Gunman still at large af ter gangland attack only yards from school
A GUNMAN was still at large last night, a day after a man was shot in front of terrified children close to a primary school.
The victim, named locally as Ross Sherlock, is thought to have been wounded in the arm in a suspected ‘gangland assassination’ attempt on Thursday.
Armed police were sent to the scene after parents collecting their children from St Helen’s Primary, in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, reported seeing a ‘man with a gun’. It was claimed that three shots were fired close to the school.
Some children screamed in terror as they were ordered to take cover inside the school. Others were bundled into cars by relatives waiting to collect them.
Detective Inspector Stephen Grant said police were treating the incident, which happened around 3pm, as attempted murder and the victim had been ‘specifically targeted’. But he refused to confirm suggestions that it is being linked to an ongoing feud between two gangland families.
Sherlock is a former associate of gangster Kevin ‘Gerbil’ Carroll. In 2010, Carroll was shot dead in an Asda car park in Robroyston, Glasgow, less than a mile from where this week’s attack happened.
Sherlock, 34, spent the night in hospital receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Mr Grant said the suspect is thought to have used a stolen grey VW Golf, registration FR12 TYB, which was later found burnt- out nearby. The detective added: ‘We suspect that he had an accomplice waiting in the car to drive him from the location of the shooting.
‘The remains of the car will be subject to forensic examination. We have established that it was stolen in March of this year from north Glasgow, so it has potentially been within the area of Glasgow for a considerable amount of time bearing that registration plate.
‘The victim was known to police before the attack and we are confident from the inquiries we have made that this was an isolated attack, that the victim was specifically targeted and that no other member of the public was targeted at that time.’
Police confirmed that a number of youngsters – including the victim’s daughter – saw the shooting, and they are receiving specialist support. Chief Inspector Craig Smith said: ‘We are aware there were a number of children that may have witnessed the incident and we are keen to see that those children are supported and engage with us, East Dunbartonshire Council, the education authorities and social work department to help them and their families before they go back to school on Tuesday morning.
‘Understandably, people in the local area have expressed concerns about the nature of the attack and we will have additional police officers in the area. We will continue with this increased presence for the foreseeable future.’
Mr Smith added: ‘Detectives are carrying out door-to-door inquiries and are currently gathering CCTV footage for review. We are following a number of lines of inquiry.’
Armed officers and a helicopter responded to reports of the shooting in Dornoch Place. Police said the suspect made off towards Ronaldsay Drive. A short time later, the burnt-out Golf was discovered in nearby Wood Lane.
Residents in Dornoch Place were told to stay indoors while events unfolded.
According to locals, the victim is allegedly a known gangster. One, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘I’d hate to think it’s something gang-related so close to our door.’
The suspect is described as in his mid-40s and around 5ft 10in tall. He was wearing a hi-viz jacket with the hood pulled up and carrying a silver-coloured handgun.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Kirkintilloch police office on 0141 5324460 or on 101.
They can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
‘Specifically targeted’