Skye shootings: Police name man killed in incident
Police have named the man who died after a series of shooting incidents on the Isle of Skye and Western Ross as John MacKinnon.
The 47-year-old died and three others were taken to hospital following the events on Wednesday.
Police said a 32-year-old woman, who was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment, remains in a serious condition.
While a 63-year-old man who was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment to serious injuries remains in a critical condition.
A 63-year-old woman was also taken to hospital and has subsequently been discharged.
Police say they believe the incidents are linked and have confirmed they have arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with all of the incidents.
Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett, local policing commander for Highlands and Islands Division, said: “The thoughts of everyone are with the family and friends of Mr MacKinnon and the three people who remain injured in hospital.
“These incidents took place in close-knit, rural areas and will have a significant impact not only on those directly affected, but also friends and neighbours living in these communities.
“Serious incidents which were witnessed yesterday are extremely rare and I would like to further reassure the local communities that they were dealt with and there is no further threat to local people."
Police resources have been mobilised from across Scotland and will remain in the area "for the near future" while investigations continue, Trickett added.
To help police enquiries to call 101, quoting reference 0713 of 10 August, 2022.
How Wednesday's events unfolded and where
Officers were called to a property in the Tarskavaig area of Skye shortly before 9am on Wednesday where they found a 32-year-old woman with serious injuries, who was then taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
About half an hour later, gun shots were reported at another property in the Teangue area of the island, about eight miles away, where 47-year-old John MacKinnon who pronounced dead when emergency services arrived.
Following reports of gunshots in Dornie on the mainland, a man was found with serious injuries and taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment and a woman, whose condition is unknown, was taken to Broadford Hospital, Skye.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the communities affected by the incidents on and around Skye will be feeling a sense of “devastation”.
She said: “My thoughts are with those most directly affected by what has been a horrific incident on Skye.
“I want to convey that strength of feeling to those individuals and families who will have been devastated by what has happened.
“Obviously, the kind of incidents that happened yesterday would have been horrific and devastating in any part of the country.
“But the kind of communities we’re talking about here are small, close-knit communities and that sense of devastation will be felt even more acutely.”
“Everybody, I know, across Scotland will be thinking of the communities affected on Skye right now.”
Scotland’s Finance Secretary Kate Forbes described the news as “one of the worst days" in the history of Skye and Lochalsh.
The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch added: “West Highland communities are close-knit, we are warm and welcoming, and this will shatter us to the core.
“It feels like our very heart has been ripped apart.
“I, and I am sure many others, never thought we would see such an awful day.”
Mr Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said he was one of many in the community who were horrified by the attacks.
Speaking in the aftermath of the incidents on Wednesday, he said: “For people to hear the news of today’s incidents that have taken place in three separate occasions, I think it’s really shocked the place to the core, it’s shocked people that this sort of thing can happen.
“It’s a terrible, terrible day that these things have come to Skye and Lochalsh.
“It takes some time for some of these communities to recover from this and it’s really important that we make sure all the support is there for the families.
Local resident Gordon Matheson, who lives in Teangue, said the day had been “profoundly difficult” for the community.
“Families have suffered tremendous loss today,” he said.
Skye councillor John Finlayson described the news as tragic for the community.
He said: “I know how close-knit and big-hearted the communities in Skye and Lochalsh are and we will come together to support each other through this devastating time.
“I would like to thank the emergency services for everything they have done, and continue to do and our thoughts and prayers are with all the families that have been affected by the events of today which have hit everyone in our communities so hard.
Speaking to Good Morning Scotland on Thursday, Mr Findlayson added: “I’ve never known tragedy like this and there’s two communities affected here: one on Skye and one on the mainland.
“I don’t think anyone on Skye or Lochalsh would have expected that.
“From what I hear there were a huge number of ambulances, police, fire service and helicopters in the area.
“Everyone was really alarmed. A lot of people didn’t appreciate what was happening.
“Now that we’re more aware of the tragic circumstances, I think everyone is still in shock and it is unbelievable.
“It’s a sad day, it’s a tragic day and a very tough day for us all.”