Murder inquiry after boy, 14, stabbed to death at Glasgow railway stationon October 17, 2021 at 3:41 pm

Police have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed at a railway station in Glasgow.

Justin McLaughlin was found seriously injured at High Street station at about 15:45 on Saturday.

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Police Scotland said an extensive investigation was under way and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The attack, which police described as “a shocking act of violence in broad daylight” is believed to have taken place on a platform at the station.

At least some of the incident was captured on CCTV, while detectives are also studying earlier footage from on board a train.

Det Ch Insp Brian Geddes, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said a number of young people were believed to have been involved in an “altercation”.

He said: “At this stage of the investigation, it is too early to say how many people we are looking for. There are certainly a number of witnesses we need to speak to first.

“It’s very difficult to comment on whether it was a targeted attack or not. But we will keep an open mind all the way through until we know exactly what happened.”

The teenager was a pupil at St Ambrose High School in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.

The school’s head teacher, James McParland, said he was “a valued member of our community and his loss will be felt by staff and pupils alike”.

Mr McParland added that additional pastoral support would be available to pupils at the school when they return on Monday morning.

Police Scotland said Justin McLaughlin’s family were being supported by specialist officers.

Det Ch Insp Geddes added: “Our thoughts very much remain with Justin’s family and friends. His family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this very difficult time.

“Although inquiries are at an early stage, we are sure that there will be people who may have witnessed something in the lead up to this.

“The needless loss of a 14-year-old boy is pretty shocking and I can imagine that will be felt across the communities in Glasgow and far wider.

“It’s really up to us, with the help of the public, to establish the full circumstances of what happened for Justin’s family.”

British Transport Police said it would be increasing uniformed patrols in the local area in the coming days “to help reassure the travelling public”.

Detectives have set up an online portal to encourage members of the public to submit information.