Mother screamed when she heard son had been shot, Glasgow court hears

The mother of Euan “EJ” Johnston today/yesterday told her son's murder trial that she screamed when informed he had been shot.

Anne McChord recalled how she initially was not going to answer the late night call from Mr Johnston's friend.

But, after learning what happened, she hurled the phone away and raced to the hospital in a taxi.

The 47 year-old was later told her son was dead – but she remembered touching his chest and pleading with a medic that his “heart was beating”.

Miss McChord was giving evidence at the High Court in Glasgow.

Anthony Ruthven and David Scott – both 33 – are charged with murdering Mr Johnston on November 15 2016.

Prosecutors claim the pair – while acting with others unknown – did “repeatedly discharge” a firearm at the 26 year-old dad in the city's Kinning Park.

Miss McChord said she last spoke with her son on the day he was shot.

She remembered Mr Johnston giving money for his mum to get her glasses at the opticians.

Miss McChord was then at home around 11.15pm when she was telephoned by his friend Brian McMahon.

Describing what she was told, the mum went on: “I got a call to say that my son had been shot.

“I had thought at first: 'I am not going to answer that' – it was late at night, but I did.

“When I was told Euan had been shot, I just screamed and threw the phone down.

“My nephew came running in...he spoke to Brian. He then ordered us a taxi to get to the hospital.”

Miss McChord recalled when she arrived Mr Johnston's girlfriend and father Euan senior were already there.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC asked was there a discussion about turning off her son's life support.

The mum replied: “They just told me that my son was dead. I had my hand on his chest and I said: 'He is not dead, his heart is beating'.

“I could feel his heart beating, but the surgeon said that it would be cruel to keep him alive.”

Miss McChord was shown a photo of Mr Johnston during her evidence.

She said: "I see pictures of him every day...that's my son."

Miss McChord told how she later spoke with Brian McMahon and remembered him being “emotional” and “scared”.

Ruthven and Scott deny the accusations.

The trial, before Judge Lady Stacey, continues