A GUNMAN is being hunted after a 33-year-old man was shot near a Bishopbriggs school.

Police said the victim was approached by a man wearing a high visibility jacket and carrying a handgun.

He was shot in Dornoch Place at around 3pm.

The suspect then made off towards Ronaldsay Drive.

A statement from police said the victim was being treated in hospital after turning up for treatment.

The suspect is said to be in his mid 40s, around 5 ft 10 ins tall and carrying a silver gun.

It is understood police may be investigating whether the incident was a botched gangland assassination attempt.

The alarm was raised shortly after 3pm as parents collected their children from nearby St Helen's Primary.

Scores of officers raced to Wester Cleddens Road, just yards from a primary school, after they received "reports of a man with a gun".

A short time later, a burnt out silver car was discovered nearby in Wood Lane.

A source told the Evening Times: "We believe two men were involved in some kind of chase."

Residents reported hearing three shots and said police ordered them not to leave their homes.

A statement from Police Scotland confirmed they were investigating an incident "in which a man is believed to have been shot".

Chief Inspector Craig Smith added: "Please be assured that this incident did not take place within the local school grounds and does not involve anyone from the local school.

"It is very unusual for an incident of this nature to happen and I can understand that it has caused alarm among people in the community.

"Additional police patrols are in the area to provide extra reassurance."

Police sealed off Dornoch Place, where the incident happened, as well as nearby Pentland Drive and Wester Cleddens Road, where the school is located.

Families living on Dornoch Place were told to stay indoors following the incident.

One man said: "It’s usually so quiet here.

"We were told to stay inside. It’s alarming.

“I heard a noise and the police helicopter over the house.”

A woman who lives close to the school said it was frightening.

She said: “All the kids were coming home from school as usual then there was a noise like fireworks.”


Detective Inspector Greig Wilkie said "I would appeal to anyone in the area of Dornoch Place at this time and could have seen anything suspicious to come forward and help with our inquiry.

"A grey Volkswagen Golf was also recovered burnt out in the area of Wood Lane which is a short distance away and this vehicle is suspected to be involved. I would appeal for anyone who has seen a vehicle of that description near to the incident or where it was recovered to contact the police urgently."

Chief Inspector Craig Smith said: "Understandably, the local community is very concerned about such a violent incident occuring mid-afternoon in a busy residential area of Bishopbriggs, close to a local school.

"I have officers carrying out high-visibility patrols, engaging with the public to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to establish who is responsible for this incident.

"Detectives are carrying out door to door enquiries and are currently gathering CCTV footage for review but at the moment, and are following a number of lines of enquiry."

A spokesman for St Helens Primary at East Dunbartonshire Council confirmed an incident is being investigated by police.

East Dunbartonshire Council's director of education, Gordon Currie, said: "East Dunbartonshire Council has received reports of an incident which allegedly took place today in Bishopbriggs.

"As it is a Police Scotland matter it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."