Arrest after Glasgow shopkeeper Asad Shah dies in attack

  • Published
Asad Shah
Image caption,
Asad Shah was a shopkeeper in Glasgow

A 32-year-old man has been arrested after a Glasgow shopkeeper was killed in what Police Scotland are treating as a "religiously prejudiced" attack.

Asad Shah, 40, was found seriously injured in Minard Road, Shawlands, at about 21:05 GMT on Thursday. He died in hospital.

The incident happened hours after he apparently posted social media messages wishing his customers a happy Easter.

Police said both Mr Shah and the arrested man were Muslims.

A post on Thursday from an account that appears to be Mr Shah's said: "Good Friday and very happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation x!"

Mr Shah was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Floral tributes have been placed at the scene and hundreds of people, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, took part in a silent vigil there on Friday night in memory of the shopkeeper.

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People have been taking part in a silent vigil in memory of Mr Shah
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Messages and flowers were placed at the scene of the vigil
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among hundreds of people who attended the vigil in Shawlands

Ms Sturgeon tweeted afterwards: "Moved to be one of hundreds tonight as Shawlands united in grief for Asad Shah and support for his family."

The leader of Glasgow City Council, Frank McAveety, was also at the vigil.

Those attending were encouraged to bring a daffodil. Many laid flowers and lit candles during the gathering.

One of the vigil organisers, Eildon Dyer, said: "It was very respectful. There were a lot of people clearly very upset. There were a lot of tears and lots and lots of flowers.

"Everybody has said he was the nicest man. He was clearly much-loved. Everybody had nice stories to tell about him and warm stories. It's just very, very sad."

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Forensic officers worked at the scene on Friday night
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The area was cordoned off after the attack
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A police tent was place in the road

Residents told BBC Scotland they were shocked and saddened by Mr Shah's death and described the shopkeeper as a "gentleman".

Brothers Qaiser and Omar Khan said they knew Mr Shah well and had repaired his cars in the past. They described him as "a humble, sweet person".

Omar Khan added: "I've known him since I was a wee boy so this is shocking news.

"He was a very straight-forward, humble person who was very good with his customers. He cared about his family a lot."

'Wonderful man'

Robert Maitland, said: "He was very friendly. Every morning we shook hands and said 'have a nice day'. He was just a pleasant, lovely lad."

Isabella Graham, 64, said Mr Shah employed her daughter at the shop when she was younger.

"He was an amazing, wonderful man, he couldn't do enough for you," she said.

"He wouldn't hurt anybody. Nobody in Shawlands would have a bad word to say about him. I can't believe he's gone."

Earlier forensic officers placed a white tent outside his shop, Shah's Newsagent and Convenience Store. Another white tent was placed some metres down the road.

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The newsagents was also cordoned off
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Floral tributes have been placed at the scene

One card left at the cordon read: "Thank you for being the nicest guy on the planet."

Another read: "A good man, much loved and a pillar of the community. You'll be sorely missed."

Meanwhile, a fund-raising page set up on the GoFundMe website in support of Mr Shah's family has raised more than £20,000.

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