DETECTIVES say a 35-year-old man who was murdered in Greenock was struck by a car and attacked with a bladed weapon.
Michael Beaton was found with serious injuries in Drumfrochar Road around 7.20pm on Sunday.
He was taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow where he died a few hours later.
Initial police enquiries have revealed that Mr Beaton was struck by a light-coloured vehicle and then attacked with a bladed weapon in Drumfrochar Road.
Streets in the area are to remian cordoned off on Tuesday, leading to the closure of the main Cornhaddock Street/Drumforchar Road route and St Patrick’s Primary School.
Detective Chief Inspector Lynsey Watters, from Police Scotland’s Major Investigations Team (West), said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of the incident however we do not believe that this was a random attack.
“This was an extremely violent attack which has shocked the local community and caused disruption to their daily routines whilst we carry out our forensic enquiries.
“I’d like to assure the people living in the area that we are doing everything we can to trace the person or persons responsible for this shocking incident and that there will be an increased police presence in the area.”
She added: “Anyone who witnessed the attack, saw any suspicious individuals or vehicles in or around the area, or has any other information that could assist our investigation is asked to contact police immediately.
“I’d also like people to check their dashcam and ring-doorbell footage in case they have captured something on it which could be vital to our inquiry.”
An online portal has been set up giving people access to a form to send information directly to the investigation team.
Alternatively, anyone with information can contact police via 101 quoting incident number 2790 of 26 November, 2023, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.
