Police say 32-year-old man arrested in connection with Asad Shah’s death, which is being treated as ‘religiously prejudiced’

Flowers and messages of thanks have been left on a street corner in Glasgow where a much-loved shopkeeper was stabbed to death in an attack that police are treating as “religiously prejudiced”.

The man, who has been named locally as Asad Shah, was described as a gentle man who cared deeply for his community and every year would print out his own Christmas cards with personal messages for customers.

Police Scotland announced on Friday evening that a 32-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the death of 40-year-old Shah, who was discovered with serious injuries in the Shawlands area of Glasgow, a few miles south of the city centre, just after 9pm on Thursday. The victim was taken to the Queen Elizabeth university hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A police statement confirmed: “A full investigation is under way to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death, which is being treated as religiously prejudiced.”

Aamer Anwar, one of Scotland’s leading human rights lawyers, who knew Shah and recalled him as “a lovely man just doing his job”, earlier warned the Glasgow Southside community “not to jump to conclusions” as tributes to Shah poured in on social media under the hashtag #thisisnotwhoweare.

Anwar told the Guardian: “Our thoughts and prayers should be with the family of Mr Shah, who was a well-liked and loved member of the community.”

“But it’s important that people remain calm. The police have thrown every resource at this investigation and it’s extremely important to allow the police to continue with their work.”



Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joined an estimated crowd of 400-500 people on Friday evening for the vigil to show solidarity and remember Shah.

Sturgeon, whose constituency covers the area, tweeted afterwards: “Moved to be one of hundreds tonight as Shawlands united in grief for Asad Shah and support for his family.”

Those attending were encouraged to bring a daffodil. Many laid flowers and lit candles during the gathering.

One of the vigil organisers, Eildon Dyer, said: “It was very respectful. There were a lot of people clearly very upset. There were a lot of tears and lots and lots of flowers.

“Everybody has said he was the nicest man. He was clearly much-loved. Everybody had nice stories to tell about him and warm stories. It’s just very, very sad.”

Shah, who owned Shah’s Newsagents in Shawlands, posted an Easter message on Facebook hours before the incident. His page, which includes homemade videos of him praying and sending messages of peace, displays a final missive posted on Thursday at 5.10pm.



It reads: “Good Friday and a very Happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation ... Let’s follow the real footstep of beloved holy Jesus Christ and get the real success in both worlds.”

Stewart McDonald, SNP MP for Glasgow South, said Shah was “known and loved by many” and encouraged people to join a silent vigil at 9pm on Friday night. Attendees have been asked to bring daffodils.

Keira Riley, a Shawlands resident who had known Shah for seven years, said that she was “deeply hurt and saddened for his family”.

Riley described a softly spoken, gentle man who would keep you chatting even if you had only popped into the shop: “He always asked about your family even though he never met them. He spoke very softly too and giggled quite a lot when he spoke … he came across as a gentle man who cared for his community and customers.

“Every year he would print out his own Christmas cards with his own personal message in it for you. I can’t think why this would happen to him. I know he was loved by everyone who went into his shop. He always remembered you and shook your hand when you left.”

Lorraine Cleaver, who lives with her family near the newsagents, recalled how she would greet Shah as he made his way to afternoon prayers at the nearby mosque while she waited to pick up her son from school.

“He was always such a friendly man, took care to pass the time of day and had a smile for everyone. I realise that all sounds like trite soundbites folk utter when someone’s passed, but it’s nevertheless true.”

Floral tributes arranged by a hedge next to a police cordon included messages remembering “such a lovely man with a heart of gold and a warm smile”. Another read simply: “All you wanted was peace. We are one.”

One well-known arts venue, a street away from the killing, has cancelled its regular Friday evening events to allow as many locals as possible to attend the vigil.

The manager, Joe Smillie, told the Guardian: “My family, who run the Glad Cafe, all live and have grown up in the Southside of Glasgow, minutes from where this horrible event occurred. Our community means a lot to us.”

“We cancelled this evening’s event because it didn’t feel right going ahead after the tragic circumstances of last night. We’d rather people were at the vigil, showing what a strong sense of community there is in the Southside of Glasgow, who will not tolerate this barbaric and hateful attitude.”