Man killed in Skye shooting named, another in critical condition
Police have given an update following yesterday's incidents in Teangue, Tarskavaig and Dornie.
Last updated 11th Aug 2022
A man who died in yesterday’s attacks across Skye and Lochalsh has been named as dad John Mackinnon, 47.
He was shot dead in the Teangue area of Skye around 9:30am.
Around half an hour before that, a 32-year-old woman was seriously hurt at a house in the Tarskavaig area.
She is being treated at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Another man, aged 63, is in a critical condition at Raigmore in Inverness.
He and a woman, also 63, were injured in the Dornie area in Wester Ross later that morning.
The woman was taken to Broadford Hospital on Skye, and has since been released.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with all of the incidents, which are being treated as linked and there is no threat to the wider community.
'Significant impact'
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 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.
“The policing response was significant as people would expect and involved national resources from across Scotland, including Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow being brought in to support local policing on Skye and Lochalsh
“Local officers who live and work in these communities brought the situation to as swift a conclusion as possible and I thank everyone involved, including colleagues from the Scottish Ambulance Service, for their outstanding efforts in responding to what was a distressing series of incidents.
“The investigation, being led by Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, is complex and challenging and I would also like to thank the local communities for their understanding and co-operation as we work through our enquiries.
“Given the size of the investigation and the fact we are dealing with a number of different sites, the considerable police presence will remain for the near future.
“We are working with local partners, including Highland Council and NHS Highland to provide support and welfare to those affected by the events of yesterday and I would urge anyone with any concerns or worries to please speak to our officers who are there to help.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also sent her condolences to the families affected.
Speaking to heat radio, she said: "My thoughts are with those most directly affected by what has been a horrific incident on Skye, and 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 incident that happened would have been horrific and devastating in any part of the country, but the kind of communities we are talking about here are small and close-knit, and that sense of devastation will be felt even more acutely.
"So my thoughts, my sympathies to the bereaved go to everyone affected."
Local tributes
Portree resident John Gordon says all of Skye and Lochalsh have been rocked by yesterday's events.
He said: "It’s been a very sad day for Skye and Lochalsh and the whole community is feeling a sense of a heavy heart.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families involved in this terrible incident today.
"They are all local families who are well liked, well known, well respected and as a community we stand with them.
"We saw the very best of Police Scotland and the other emergency services.
"They responded quickly and effectively, they came across West very quickly.
"We all owe a huge gratitude and have huge respect for how all the emergency services handled today’s incident."
Anyone with any information regarding the incidents is asked to call 101, quoting reference 0713 of 10 August, 2022, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.