Shopkeeper's murder 'unprovoked'

The police said Mr Ismail had been stabbed

A shopkeeper has died in an unprovoked attack in his family's South Ayrshire store, police said.

Ahmjid Ismail, 34, was stabbed at about 1730 GMT on Wednesday while working alone in Kirkland Stores, Maybole.

He was discovered by a member of the public and taken to Ayr Hospital but died a short time later.

Strathclyde Police appealed for information on a man seen near the shop, in Kirkland Street, a number of times on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Ismail was working at his father's store located just opposite a primary school.

Seeking information

Local residents said the community had been left shocked by the murder.

Officers are carrying out door-to-door enquiries, studying CCTV footage and seeking information from customers who were at the store on Wednesday afternoon.

The murder investigation was launched after a post mortem examination was carried out on Thursday.

Det Supt John Mitchell said: "Mr Ismail and his family are well known and very popular within Maybole having served the local community within their store for over 20 years.

The was a completely unprovoked attack Det Supt John Mitchell

"Customers have described Mr Ismail as a jovial, friendly man who enjoyed his job and always took the time to speak to his customers.

"This was a completely unprovoked attack."

Det Supt Mitchell added: "A number of witnesses have spoken about a man who they have described as white, 20-30 years of age and of medium build.

"He was wearing a dark-coloured three-quarter length hooded jacket and a dark-coloured woollen hat."

The family are said to be devastated by the murder.

Mr Ismail's brother had only joined Strathclyde Police last week.

One local resident said: "I'm totally shocked I cannot believe it.

"The whole town's devastated by this."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ayr Police Office or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.