Brian Harkins should have been enjoying a double celebration on Sunday – Mother’s Day and his 46th birthday.
Instead, his two older sisters made a heartfelt appeal for information after their brother was shot just over a week ago.
His elderly mother Ellen, 79, has been left inconsolable following Mr Harkins death last Wednesday.
He was shot dead at his home in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, around 8am. Police today revealed the killer struck at the side door of Mr Harkins home in Westmuir Place.
Mr Harkins’ older sisters Eleanor, 54, and Maria, 52, attended a police appeal in Glasgow this morning. Their mother Ellen was too upset to attend and a statement was read on the family’s behalf.
The statement spoke of how Mr Harkins, who was known to police, was a loving son, brother and father and his death has left a void in the family’s life which will never be filled.
It went on to say: “We will miss him every day. Not only is it Mother’s Day on Sunday but Brian should have been celebrating his 46th birthday.
“He was such a funny guy and everyone loved him. He had an incredible sense of humour and his smile lit up any room. We are devastated at our loss and fail to understand why was taken from us in this terrible way.
“Our mum is inconsolable and we would appeal to anyone with information to come forward and contact police.”
The family plea came just days after police quizzed around 800 people about last Wednesday’s shooting during a major roadblock operation.
Senior detectives leading the investigation said Mr Harkins was shot around 8am. His body was found by a family friend around 10am that morning.
DCI Kenny Graham, who is leading the investigation, today said the killer struck at the side door in what was a targeted attack.
He said a white caravan and a black Renault Megane with registration SA09 WLJ were parked in the driveway of Mr Harkins home.
DCI Graham said: “I still believe the public hold information vital to this investigation and I would urge anyone who was in the area to come forward.”
Officers are sifting through the information in connection with the murder. A team of around 30 officers were involved in the operation.
Early morning commuters were questioned one week on from the murder of Mr Harkins who was shot on his doorstep.
Officers stopped cars, buses and passersby this morning and quizzed them on their movements last week to gain information on who was in the area at the time.
Detectives also boarded buses and spoke to passengers who may have been passing by last Wednesday. Vehicles were stopped on both sides of the road and traffic was tailed back along Westmuir Place.
