Nightclub bouncer gunned down in the street

Jun 3 2009 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

A FORMER amateur boxer, shot from close range outside a police station, was facing surgery yesterday.

Nightclub bouncer Robert McLelland, 50, was hit twice as he stood with a younger friend at a bus shelter.

Families enjoying the sunshine in a nearby park heard two or three shots ring out and saw a man fall to the ground wounded.

The terrified victim hid behind a litter bin fearing the gunman would target him again, but the mystery shooter fled in a car.

Mr McLelland, who was hit on the foot or ankle and the lower part of his body, was taken by ambulance, with a police escort, to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

His condition is believed to be stable.

Armed police were at the scene of the shooting on a stretch of Inchinnan Road, which lies directly across from Renfrew Police Office and behind the bus stop is Robertson Park, within minutes.

Officers from the station were first to arrive and stayed with the victim until paramedics took over.

The road was closed to traffic and a large area was cordoned off.

Police forensic experts began a thorough search of the area looking for clues and the weapon – which is believed to be a pistol.

The peace and quiet of the town centre was shattered around 7.45pm on Monday. One source said: “I looked out of the window and saw two men at a bus stop. One had been injured.

“The man who was hurt was hobbling about and then he was on the ground behind a litter bin.

“He seemed to be in terrible pain.

“Later there were officers with guns there, and others were searching the pavement, roadway and part of Robertson Park.”

A man who lives nearby added: “I heard there were several shots. The injured man, whom I know, lives in Renfrew. He’s well-known and is a bouncer on the nightclub and pub scene.

“It’s frightening this happened in a busy street in broad daylight.

“There would have been people walking about and drivers passing at that time.

“Anyone could have been caught up in this and shot...that’s scary.”

Another man talked about the gunman escaping in a “getaway car.”

Yesterday morning Inchinnan Road had been reopened but a 50-yard part of the park remained cordoned off.

Later a police spokesman said: “Inquiries are continuing after a man was injured in a shooting. Officers are checking CCTV and conducting door-to-door inquiries.”