Taxi driver sought after drinks company boss shot dead in attempted warehouse robbery
Police are keen to trace a taxi driver after a businessman was shot dead in an attempted robbery at a warehouse.
Akhtar Javeed, 56, was shot as masked men attempted to rob Direct Source 3 Ltd in Rea Street South on Wednesday.
The soft drinks company boss later died in hospital from a gunshot wound to his neck.
The saloon car was seen following another vehicle with no lights on at around 6.40pm, the time of what police believe to be a targeted robbery.
Acting Detective Chief Inspector Martin Slevin, from Force CID, said: "This is a fast paced inquiry as we continue to piece together the circumstances that led to Mr Javeed's death.
"We are keen to trace the driver of a private hire vehicle believed to be a saloon which followed a vehicle with no lights on from Rea Street South turning left into MacDonald street at around 6.40pm.
"We believe this was a targeted robbery attempt at the business premises in Rea Street South, near to the junction with MacDonald Street.
"It happened at a time when other people may have been leaving work for the day and someone may have seen what happened or have important information about the suspects.
"If you have any information that could help our investigation, please get in touch as soon as possible."
Mr Javeed's family have been made aware of the result and paid tribute to him describing him as "an honest man who valued his family more than anything else."
They added: "Please help bring closure to our family and justice for him. He was cruelly taken away from us and his young children who will now have to grow up without their father. Please help us."
Any witnesses should contact police on 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
