Glasgow gang wars esculate into murder rival gangs armed with blades, including a Samurai sword, clashed in a terrifying street fight.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Glaswegian was killed as rival gangs armed with blades, including a Samurai sword, clashed in a terrifying street fight.Police were last night probing the murder of Charles Bowman, 32, who was dead on arrival at hospital after the bloody battle on Sunday night.Four other men were injured as the two gangs clashed in a normally quiet street in the east end of Glasgow.One of them was Douglas Tennent, 37, who innocently stopped to offer help and was stabbed four times in the face in front of his terrified family - including his three-year-old daughter Charli.Locals in Carmyle, Glasgow, believe the battle was between rival gangs from the area and the nearby Westburn area of Cambuslang, where murder victim Charles lived.In Westburn last night, tributes were being left at his home by grieving friends and family.A Rangers flag hung over a car in his driveway, with messages and tributes from his loved ones.In the main street of Westburn, a makeshift memorial was created with Old Firm shirts, scarves and flags all bearing tributes.One message read: "Goodbye Uncle Chick. Rest in Peace."Police said last night: "Police were called to a report of a largescale disturbance in Carmyle Avenue near to Gardenside Avenue. On arrival, they found five men injured."The men were all taken to local hospitals. The 32-year-old man was pronounced dead on arrival."The four other men are being treated for their injuries."It is believed police were already on the scene when Douglas was attacked.One witness said: "This is a peaceful street and nothing like this ever happens here."Two cars full of men came screeching into the street.
"Then they all jumped out with bottles, baseball bats, knives and bricks and started laying into each other. The battle went on for about half an hour and by the time the police arrived there were guys lying bleeding in the street.
"Then a car came into the street, driven by a man with a female passenger and a kid in the back.
"He stopped and rolled down his window.
"Some guy who looked as if he had just been watching then sauntered over to the car, as if he was going to speak to the driver."The next thing I noticed was the woman jumping out of the car screaming that her husband had been stabbed.
"When his attacker ran away, I saw there was blood everywhere and he was in a really bad state."
Douglas's partner Patricia Bradley was too upset to speak last night at their home just a few streets from the scene of the battle.His sister Janice said he was having surgery last night on his face and added: "His hand was also damaged when he lifted it to try to protect his face so he'll probably need more surgery.
"We're really shocked about what has happened, especially in such a quiet place."
A source close to the family said: "We think the guy with the knife has taken him for someone else and thought he was winding down his window to get involved."
'They all jumped out with bottles, bats and knives and layed into each other'
