Police make fresh appeal in Willowbrae murder hunt

Detectives investigating the murder of 25 year-old Mohamed Abdi are seeking information from the public about sightings of vehicles in the Restalrig area of Edinburgh.

In particular they are keen to hear from anyone who saw a VW Sharan, registration plate FT62TFK, and a silver or grey coloured hatchback style vehicle in the vicinity close to a convenience store in Restalrig Road South late on Saturday evening.

Mr Abdi, who had been shot, was found in Abercorn Avenue around 1am on Sunday 26 May. He was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died soon after.

The inquiry team believe cars linked to the murder may have been involved in an earlier incident near the Scotmid store in Restalrig Road South.

Det Supt Gary Flannigan of the major investigation team of the Specialist Crime Division of Police Scotland, who is leading the inquiry, said: “We are keen to hear from people who may have seen the dark blue VW Sharan people carrier and the hatchback in that area around 11pm on Saturday.

“I would like people who live in that street or anyone who may have been passing and noticed the cars to contact us.

“The area can be quite busy on a Saturday night with people passing through or heading home and I want them to think if their route may have taken them along that road or through that area. If they recollect seeing either the dark blue people carrier or the hatchback – either together or separately – I would ask them to get in touch.”

Chief Inspector Mark Patterson said:-”People can approach my local officers who are involved in routine patrols in the area. They are there to reassure people who live and work in the area that, while these vehicles were in their locality, there was no evidence of disorder or threat to the local community.

“A large number of police officers continue to carry out high visibility patrols in the Willowbrae area providing reassurance to the local community and addressing any of their concerns. “

The dark blue VW Sharan was found smashed into railings on Abercorn Avenue, in the Willowbrae area of Edinburgh, around 1am on Sunday.

Detectives believe that separate groups of  black men were involved in related incidents in the hours prior to the murder and they continue to appeal for information about a possible disturbance in Captain’s Drive, in the Gracemount area of the city, between 10.30pm and midnight on Saturday.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.