In the second of a new series looking at some of Scotland’s most baffling unsolved gangland murders, we examine the drive by shooting of a violent underworld figure almost 18 years ago.
12:00, 04 Apr 2026
Forensic experts at scene of George Redmond’s murder(Image: Dominic Cocozza)
George Redmond had been enjoying a day out with two close friends which was about to come to an abrupt end – but not in the way he could have ever imagined.
It was October 2008 and the trio had visited several bars in Glasgow’s West End that afternoon before dining in a city-centre Italian restaurant then retiring to the nearby Waldorf bar for a night cap.
George Redmond(Image: PA)
Shortly before 10:30pm Redmond left the bar in Cambridge Street, close to Sauchiehall Street, to make a phone call.
The subject of the conversation will probably never be known because a few minutes later all hell was about to break loose.
Redmond was so engrossed in his call that he did not a luxury black Porsche Cayenne SUV drew up beside him.
He also did not see or hear the a window slid down – if he did it was probably too late by then. A mystery man pulled out a gun and and shot him repeatedly in the back.
George Redmond shooting scene(Image: Sunday Mail)
A second friend John Maguire – who was standing nearby having a cigarette – was also shot several times.
Redmond died a short time later after being rushed to nearby Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Maguire spent eight days there under police guard recovering from bullet wounds.
The public were shocked that such a assassination had taken place in one of the busiest parts of Glasgow – only yards from a big hotel – but less surprised when they learned more about the victim and his background.
Redmond was a major figure in the city’s network of organised crime figures and known to the police.
He and his gang had been dubbed the Pulp Fiction Crew after the hitmen in the Quentin Tarantino movie of the same name due to their love of extreme violence.
Prior to his murder Redmond reportedly helped run over a drug dealer who had accused one of his pals of stealing a friend’s car
He then made the drug dealer pay for the damage to the car that had run over him.
In the first few days police were keen to trace the third pal.
He had left the group shortly before the fatal shooting and they wondered if he had been involved.
However the unnamed friend came forward three days later following police appeals and was released after questioning with no further action taken.
Police standing guard outside The Waldorf
Police presence has been upped in the area – outside The Waldorf where tributes have been left.(Image: Centre Press Agency)
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Detectives discovered the getaway Porsche had been stole and unsurprisingly had false plates.
It had escaped east along the M8 towards Wishaw in Lanarkshire before being found burnt out in a housing estate in nearby Gartcosh. Nine shots had been fired at close range from an automatic pistol.
Police also revealed that the Porsche had been seen in a nearby street around 9pm suggesting the killer or killers had been lying in wait.
George Redmond’s murder proved difficult to solve from day one due to the reputation of the victim and the lack of eye witnesses. There were various theories put forward at the time.
One said the murder was linked to a knife attack by Redmond on a drug dealer in 2006 in a pub in Glasgow’s east end. The victim was quizzed over the murder by police but no further action was taken.
It was also said that the hit had been ordered by a rival gangland figure with links to the private security industry.
It was even suggested that the murder was orchestrated by a drug dealer that operated in Cambridge Street.
Others claimed Redmond had ripped off some major drug dealers for consignments of cocaine or had racked up an unpaid debt.
All were plausible given the background and reputation of the victim.
Redmond’s murder even ended up being discussed the following year on Celebrity Big Brother, where Tommy Sheridan was a contestant.
The former Glasgow MSP told his fellow housemates, who included Ulrikka Johnson, Terry Christian, and La Toya Jackson said that those involved were “big hitters”.
He added:”When I hear about these big hitters taking out each other, I don’t mind.”
(Image: PA)
Eighteen years later the murder remains unsolved and no one has ever been charged or brought to trial.
Graham Pearson, a former Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, says the killer or killers appeared to have some knowledge of Redmond’s movements and would not be surprised if he had been followed during the day and prior to the shooting.
He added:”At the time it was very different from the kind of gangland activity one expected.
“This was a real intention to kill and not a warning.
“They haven’t just driven by and taken a chance.
“The gunman perhaps was not that professional as he had nine shots to get the job done and chose such an outrageous car as a getaway.”
Graeme Pearson(Image: DAILY RECORD)
A Police Scotland spokesperson said:: “Undetected and unresolved murders are never closed and Police Scotland is fully committed to identifying those people responsible for all such cases.
“We work closely with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and meet regularly to review outstanding unresolved murders from across the country.
“Working collaboratively, the potential for new investigative opportunities is regularly assessed to maximise the ability to deliver justice for grieving families, irrespective of the passage of time.
“As with any unresolved or undetected homicide, we would review any new information provided to police and investigate further if appropriate.”