Police launch investigation into 'unexplained Russian roulette' death of father-of-three Alan McWilliams

Alan McWilliams was rushed to Glasgow’s Southern General hospital but later died

Alan McWilliams was rushed to Glasgow’s Southern General hospital where he later died

Police have launched a formal investigation into the “unexplained” death of a man who was believed to have been playing Russian roulette.

Alan McWilliams' died in hospital on Sunday of an apparent gunshot wound to the head, with initial reports stating that he had been playing the deadly game of chance the previous evening.

Although police haven't ruled out that line of inquiry, a formal investigation has now been launched into Mr McWilliams' "unexplained" death.

Mr McWilliams is believed to have been with a friend while playing the deadly game of chance, which involves loading a handgun with a single bullet, spinning the cylinder so the shooter doesn’t know if the bullet is in the barrel, putting the gun to the head and pulling the trigger.

Armed police swarmed the father-of-three's home following the shooting, which took place at around 8.30pm on Saturday night, and Mr McWilliams was rushed to Glasgow’s Southern General hospital where he later died.

Local residents are said to be shocked by the 41-year-old’s death, with The Scottish Sun quoting one as saying: “He was playing Russian roulette with a pal when the gun went off… it’s been the talk of the town for the past two days.”

The neighbour went on: “He wasn’t alone in the house. We didn’t hear a gun shot at the time, but knew something had happened when the police arrived. There were armed cops and a helicopter overhead.”

The newspaper quoted Mr McWilliams’ partner as saying: “I am devastated. It is a hard time just now. I can’t believe this has happened.”

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police yesterday said: “Detectives are carrying out extensive inquiries following the death of a man in Johnstone at the weekend.

“Emergency services attended and the 41-year-old man was taken to the Southern General Hospital.

Unfortunately, the man died in hospital on Sunday.

“A post mortem examination will be carried out later today to establish the exact circumstances of the death and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.