A GUNMAN tried to execute a man with a pistol in front of terrified kids doing a football pitch clean-up.
The brazen would-be assassin blasted two shots at his 23-year-old victim in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, on Thursday afternoon but only managed to hit his left arm.
News & Crime in Edinburgh, The Lothians & FifeCops armed with rifles were seen patrolling the area[/caption]
News & Crime in Edinburgh, The Lothians & FifeA man was found seriously injured[/caption]
News & Crime in Edinburgh, The Lothians & FifeA 23-year-old man was seriously injured[/caption]
News & Crime in Edinburgh, The Lothians & FifePolice were called to reports of gunshots in Wester Hailes[/caption]
The shooter fled on foot while the bleeding man jumped in a car and sped off to hospital.
It’s claimed the incident is related to a feud between crack cocaine gangs.
The whole incident was witnessed by around a dozen children who were helping clean up their local park between Hailesland and Murrayburn while on their school holidays.
Police Scotland scrambled firearms officers to the area and sealed off the pitch as terrified neighbours cowered in their homes.
Speaking with the permission of his mum, an eight-year-old boy told of his horror at seeing the broad daylight murder bid.
Police investigate scene after ‘firearm’ incident in Edinburgh
Police attend crime scene and tape off the area
Police at scene of shooting in Edinburgh
He told the Scottish Sun: “I saw a man shoot another man. It was loud.
“I heard two bangs and then all the men ran different ways.
“I was really scared.”
The lad’s 13-year-old cousin added: “One of the lads said ‘why do you need to do this in front of a bunch of kids?
“Another one said ‘I’m not doing it, come over here.’ But seconds later, he pulled out a gun and shot him. Someone else was saying ‘go on then, go on then’ at the time.”
The boy’s mum said her lad has been left traumatised by the attack.
She said: “He was terrified, all the kids were.
“How do you explain to your child that one man has tried to kill another?”
Another parent said: “This was a cold-blooded assassination attempt in front of kids – it’s shocking.”
Police at scene of shooting at Hailesland Gdns Edinburgh see sty Gordon Tait…Kids had been doing a park clean-up when shooting happened .bags of rubbish..
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Around 3.40pm on Thursday, 24 July, 2025, we were called to a report of a firearm being discharged in the Hailesland Gardens area of Edinburgh.
“A 23-year-old man has attended hospital for treatment to serious but not life-threatening injuries.
“Officers, including specialist firearms officers, are in attendance and extensive enquiries are ongoing.”
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