A 35-YEAR-OLD man was shot in a "targeted attack" outside a Glasgow primary school.

Residents said there was "screaming and panic" as gun fire was heard outside St George's RC Primary School on Muirdykes Road.

Shortly after 9am this morning, just after classes had begun, pupils and parents were shocked to hear gun fire.

Several eyewitnesses at the scene said a man had been shot in the back and police have now confirmed a 35-year-old man is in hospital.

Officers described the shooting as a "targeted attack"

One witness said a parent stepped in to assist the injured man and drove him to hospital.

Chief Inspector Simon Jeacocke said: "This is a highly unusual incident and understandably, parents, staff, pupils and people in the local community are all very alarmed by this. 

"We do believe it was a targeted attack but nonetheless this took place near to a local primary school at the start of the school day, when the area was busy with parents dropping off their children.

"Although it would appear that there was an intended victim, anyone could have been injured as a result, putting young children and innocent people at risk. 

"The pupils are now safe at school and additional police patrols are in the area to provide extra reassurance over the next couple of days.  

Armed police are in the area and the Police Scotland helicopter has been deployed.

Officers are also currently at the Penilee school. Police said officers will be in the area over the coming days to provide reassurance.

Although education bosses were quick to reassure families that all children are safe, small numbers of parents were arriving to collect their children.

Local resident Claire Walsh, 41, said: "My neighbour heard the shooting as the kids were going in to the school. 
"There was a lot of screaming and panic." 

One local, who asked not to be named, said he arrived at the scene at 9am as he was visiting a close relative.

He said he saw a parent who was in distress leaving the school who said he had seen the shooting.

The 26-year-old said: "My neighbour also told me there had been a shooting.

"Everybody was upset and everybody is deeply concerned about what has happened, especially the elderly people.

"This is a nice, quiet area and we don't get many incidents - something like this is very out of character.

"My relative has been living here for 10 years and no body would ever have expected anything like this."

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "At around 9.05am on Monday, January 16, police received a report of a fire arm being discharged in the Penilee area of Glasgow.

"Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances and additional police patrols in the area to provide public reassurance."

Police Scotland said additional police are in the area to reassure the public.

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said there is no threat to staff or children at the school and the incident did not happen in the school.

She added that staff will work with police to assist their enquiries.

A large police presence remains outside the school.

Local councillor Alistair Watson said: "There was a gun discharged shortly after 9am this morning.

"Parents are worried about the safety of their children and the kids are the number one priority, to make sure they are safe.

"Penilee is a good area with lots of very good people here.

"I have to commend the police for their operation. They have been very on the ball with this incident."

Chief Inspector Jeacocke added: "Please do not hesitate to approach my officers if you are concerned at all. 

"Detectives are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident and are keen to appeal to anyone who may have seen the incident or who had been in the area at the time to contact police on 101 with any information.

"Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained."

The incident comes just weeks after Euan Johnston, 26, was shot while in his car on Shields Road, near Scotland Street in a gangland hit.

Mr Johnston was shot twice in the head and died of his injuries in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.