YOUNG DAD GUNNED DOWN
‘Kermit’, 26, shot in back and killed outside home after car was torched four days earlier
A YOUNG dad was shot dead outside his home in broad daylight as his torched car was being towed away.
Graham Williamson, 26, who was known as “Kermit”, was blasted in the back by a hooded hitman on Monday afternoon.
Police have launched a murder inquiry.
A YOUNG dad was gunned down by a hooded hitman outside his home in a targeted attack as his torched car was being towed away.
Graham Williamson, known as “Kermit”, was shot dead on Caithness Street, in Blantyre, Lanarkshire at about 5pm on Monday.
Neighbours said the 26-year-old had stepped outside his house to speak with a tow-truck driver who had arrived to remove his Audi, which was deliberately set on fire four days earlier, when a gunman blasted him in the back.
Police last night said they had launched a murder inquiry into Kermit’s death.
Detective Superintendent Kevin Jamieson, Major Investigation Teams, said: “Mr Williamson had been on Caithness Street having his car uplifted as it had been deliberately set alight last Thursday.
“He left for a short time heading back towards the rear gardens of his home nearby when he was shot by a man who ran up behind him.
“He managed to get back to friends who tried to help him until the ambulance arrived. Unfortunately, he died at the hospital not long afterwards.
“The suspect, only described at this time as wearing dark clothing and either a hood or balaclava covering his face, was seen getting into a dark-coloured car waiting nearby.
“It then drove off at speed out of
Caithness Street. Officers are currently checking CCTV and speaking to witnesses. However, they are still keen to hear from anyone who may have any information that will assist their inquiry.
“We believe that this was a targeted attack and may be linked to the car being set alight. However, whether it was or not doesn’t matter; this was a shooting in a residential area with other people about in the early evening.
“It is imperative we catch those responsible for Graham’s murder and we would ask locals or indeed anyone with information to get in touch.”
One woman, who asked not to be named, said: “Last Thursday morning about 1.50am, Kermit’s car was set on fire.
“It spread to a few other cars on the street and some of us had to quickly move ours before they were damaged too. It was crazy. There was smoke everywhere.
We had towels trying to stop the bleeding
NEIGHBOUR WHO RUSHED TO HELP KERMIT
“Most cars were removed the next day but Kermit’s had been so badly burnt it had melted to the ground.
“They had to wait on a certain truck picking it up. It’s been sitting on his driveway since. The guy came to collect it on Monday night and Kermit apparently went outside to sign the papers for it.
“The next minute a car pulled up and he got shot in the back.”
The truck driver and
neighbours attempted to resuscitate the dad-ofone as he lay dying on the pavement.
The woman said her neighbour saw Kermit fall to the ground and ran out to his aid.
She added: “She heard the shots and saw him fall down on the road.
“She quickly ran down and the tow truck driver was already trying to resuscitate him.
“He was just lying there with blood pouring out. I then heard the commotion and ran down too.
“We all tried our best to save him. We had towels trying to stop the bleeding.
“We were just desperate for the ambulance to arrive. It took about 30 minutes to come but felt like hours.
“His pulse was so weak and he was turning blue.”
The woman added: “We all thought he was dead by the time the ambulance arrived. He was lifeless. It was horrendous to watch.”
Kermit’s partner, mother to his threeyear-old son, arrived home to the commotion unfolding outside her house moments after he was shot.
The woman said: “The poor girl was inconsolable. She was crying hysterically. It was heartbreaking. There was nothing she could do.
“Minutes after she got there, Kermit’s mum and dad came.
“His dad drove straight through the police cordon. He was just so desperate to see his son. My heart goes out to all of them.”
Officers cordoned Caithness Street and the surrounding areas and erected a forensic tent outside Kermit’s house. A police spokeswoman said: “Officers are in the area to provide public reassurance.”