A Scottish woman has been shot dead outside her apartment in America.

Liz Sutherland, originally from Port Glasgow in Inverclyde, was gunned down in Birmingham, Alabama, on Saturday night.

The 64-year-old moved to the States before returning to Scotland for ten years.

She then returned to America where she had been living for five years.

Police have yet to find the killer and don't know the motive for the shooting, which is said to have happened as she was getting out of her car.

Her sister, Morag Sutherland Donlevy, who is also originally from Port Glasgow but now lives in Auburn, Pennsylvania, spoke of her devastation following the death.

She said: "I read and re-read all the lovely condolences for Elizabeth and I cannot fathom the entire thing.

"My mind wanders to an image that I do not want to see. We believe in the hereafter and I know for sure my sister did.

"So, in that respect she is safe in the arms of the angels. For me, I am a blank right now."