My dad was a hero
Son pays emotional tribute to father Man, 33, in court on murder charge
The heartbroken son of slain Scott Mackenzie said his father ‘lived a hero and died a hero’.
The emotional tribute came as Kenneth Wheeler, 33, appeared in court charged with the dad- of- three’s murder.
Scott’s son Ryan added: “If tears could build a staircase I’d walk right up to heaven to bring you home again.”
The son of a slain Shotts man has paid an emotional tribute to his dad as a family barbecue ended in tragedy in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Father- of- three Scott MacKenzie, described by neighbours as a “gentle giant” and a “hard-working family man” was fatally wounded following a brawl in Inverkip Drive in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Paramedics rushed to try and save the 41-year-old dad-of-three’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Scott’s son Ryan paid an emotional tribute to him on Facebook.
Ryan posted: “If tears could build a staircase and memories a lane I’d walk right up to heaven to bring you home again.
“I don’t even know what to say dad on this anyway you know how I feel cause I’ve spoke to you but you lived a hero and died a hero.
“You’ll never be forgotten. I love you dad.”
A post-mortem examination will be held.
A second man, aged 20, was injured during an incident. He was later released from hospital.
A 33- year- old man appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday charged with the murder of Mr MacKenzie. Kenneth Wheeler appeared in private and made no plea or declaration.
He faces one charge of murder and a second charge of attempted murder.
He also faces allegations of being in possession of an offensive weapon and a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
Wheeler, of Shotts, was remanded in custody and is expected to make a further court appearance in a week’s time.
On Monday police and forensic teams continued their investigations while Inverkip Drive residents were still coming to terms with what occurred on their doorsteps. The community were in shock. Shotts Community Council at their monthly meeting held a one-minute’s silence as a tribute to Scott and also to 13-year-old Kiera Beagle, who had died after collapsing at a PE class the previous week.
Police at the meeting said they would step up patrols in the area to reassure residents.
Neighbours described Scott as a “gentle giant.”
One resident in Inverkip Drive said: “It’s still very hard for everyone to think what happened here.
“You don’t expect this to happen anywhere especially here.
“I didn’t speak a lot to the family or Scott but when I did he always seemed pleasant enough.”
Shotts councillor Tommy Cochrane described the death of Scott as “an absolute tragedy” and offered his condolences to the family.
Councillor Cochrane continued: “Going by what people have said to me Scott was a quiet guy who came from a close family.
“It just shows how things can escalate and get out of control and, unfortunately, someone has lost their life. Talking to local people, we are all stunned by what has happened.
“It’s a travesty that something like this can happen. I really feel for everyone involved because they must all be distraught.”
In a statement, Police Scotland said: “A 33-year-old man has been arrested and is at present detained in police custody in connection with the death of Scott MacKenzie (41), of Inverkip Drive, Shotts.
“Mr MacKenzie died following an incident in a house at Inverkip Drive, Shotts, which occurred around 12.20am on Sunday, June 5.”