Update following incidents on Skye

A man who died after a series of incidents on Skye and in Wester Ross on Wednesday, 10 August, can be named as John MacKinnon, 47.

Three other people, a 32-year-old woman, a 63-year-old woman and man also aged 63, were injured.

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.

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.

“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.”

Police were initially called to the Tarskavaig area on Skye shortly before 9am on Wednesday after a report of a 32-year-old woman having been seriously injured at a property.

She was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment and remains in a serious condition.

A further incident at a property in the Teangue area on Skye was then reported shortly after 9.30am after a firearm was discharged.

Emergency services attended but Mr MacKinnon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers subsequently attended at a property in the Dornie area in Wester Ross following a further firearm discharge at a property.

The 63-year-old man was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment to serious injuries and remains in a critical condition.

The woman aged 63 was taken to Broadford Hospital and has been released after treatment.

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.