A shooter has been charged with murder and attempted murder after allegedly embarking on a shooting spree that left one guy dead and three other people critically wounded.
The 39-year-old man is scheduled to appear before Inverness Sheriff Court tomorrow on charges that he used a gun to kill MacKinnon before allegedly using it on two further victims who were subsequently taken to the hospital.
Local media identified John MacKinnon, 47, as the victim of yesterday’s horrible shooting, which left three more people hurt before police Tasered and apprehended the culprit.
In a statement issued today, Mr. MacKinnon’s family referred to him as a “beloved husband and a much-loved member of the community.”
The first victim, identified locally as Mr. MacKinnon’s sister-in-law Rowena MacDonald, was stabbed at a residence in the Tarskavaig hamlet at approximately 9am on Wednesday.
Following the incident in Teangue, the shooter travelled for nearly an hour to Dornie on the mainland community of Kyle of Lochalsh before opening fire on two residents identified as the osteopath John D. Mackenzie, 63, and his wife Fay, a 63-year-old mental health nurse.
While Mr. and Mrs. MacKenzie were transported to Raigmore Hospital and Broadford Hospitals, respectively, Mrs. MacDonald was evacuated to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital with critical injuries.
The events of Wednesday’s tragedy, according to Ross, Skye, and Lochaber MP Ian Blackford, “struck the town to the core.”
In response to the tragic events of Wednesday, the SNP’s Westminster leader joined demands for a review of Scotland’s firearms legislation.
For the very basic reason that we all have a duty to keep people safe, he said: “Given what we have seen over the course of the past 24 hours, it is necessary and proper that we continue to look at the restrictions that we have in place.”
In connection with the three connected occurrences, a 39-year-old man who was a registered gun owner was detained yesterday and has since been charged.
In a path of devastation that stretched from the well-liked vacation island to Rossshire, the perpetrator singled out four victims.
Rowena, a 32-year-old hotel employee, was stabbed at a residence in the Skye town of Tarskavaig around 9 a.m. yesterday, sparking the frenzy.
Mr. MacKinnon apparently died after being shot with a shotgun seven miles away in the fishing community of Teangue on the Sleat peninsula while attempting to wrestle the weapon off the assailant.
Mr. MacKinnon, a 47-year-old distillery worker, was characterised as a “great and lovely guy” by distraught friends and neighbours.
John was a devoted husband, father of six children, brother, uncle, and grandpa to his family. He was also a beloved part of the community, according to a statement released by his family today.
“John liked being outside, was an avid motorcycle rider, and as a devoted parent, shared his pastimes with his family.”
One of their classmates also paid respect to Mr. MacKinnon and told the Press & Journal that he was “one of the sweetest guys.”
They said, “He loved a laugh, and he lighted up a room and made everyone feel special.”
No one can believe what has occurred here on Skye today, another neighbour said. He will be missed.
Later, reports of gunfire near the renowned Eilean Donan Castle in Dornie, on the mainland, 26 miles distant, alerted police to the situation.
Only when police in the hamlet of Dornie tasered and halted the assailant did the serious event come to an end.
Last night, forensic teams in white suits searched the surroundings as police officers maintained watch at the Teangue home.
Officers could be seen monitoring the area outside the residence as a tight cordon was still in place.
The Highlands and Islands Division’s local police chief, Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett, said: “Everyone’s sympathies are with Mr. MacKinnon’s family, friends, and the three wounded patients who are still being treated at the hospital.”
These tragedies occurred in small, rural villages and will have an enormous effect not just on the people immediately impacted but also on friends and neighbours who live there.
“Serious situations like the one we saw yesterday are quite uncommon, and I want to further reassure the local populations that they were handled with and pose no danger to the community at large.”
Police resources from all around Scotland, including Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Glasgow, were called in to reinforce local policing on Skye and Lochalsh. This was a considerable police reaction, as one would imagine.
“Local officers who reside and work in these communities brought the situation to a swift resolution, and I thank everyone involved, including colleagues from the Scottish Ambulance Service, for their exceptional efforts in responding to what was a distressing series of incidents,” the statement reads.
“The investigation, which is being lead by Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, is complicated and difficult.
I would also want to thank the surrounding communities for their patience and cooperation while we conduct our investigations.
The nature of the investigation and the fact that we are dealing with many separate locations mean that there will continue to be a sizable police presence for the foreseeable future.
The news of the shooting, according to a local resident who wished to remain unnamed and spoke to the Mail, completely shook the neighbourhood.
I am really startled, he remarked, since we know the victim’s wife and family.
I can’t believe the cops were all lined up outside of his previous office.
“Everyone is completely stunned. The community is in such shock, particularly considering how close-knit we are.
“An older woman who lives closer to the home [in Teangue] called me and informed me about the cops coming there.
Beyond that, I didn’t hear anything further.
At approximately 9.30 am, Dornie neighbours reported hearing sirens and the sound of the air ambulance.
One individual said, “When I glanced outside, there were maybe 13 police vehicles and an ambulance speeding by.
Everyone is talking about what a tremendous shock it is.
Another resident who was employed at the time by neighbouring Eilean Donan Castle spoke of his concern that the violence would harm his children.
He claimed: “While I was at work, I heard that something horrible was occurring, so I called my daughter and advised her to remain in the home. It spooked me.
“You wouldn’t anticipate it around here, but you’d assume something like this occurring out in America,” the speaker said.
Three police policemen were stationed around the perimeter of a residence yesterday.
A 39-year-old male who has been detained in connection with all three instances, according to police, has also been sent to Raigmore Hospital.
Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett, local policing commander for Highlands and Islands Division, said: “I understand that this will have a significant impact on the local community in these rural areas. Thankfully, incidents like this are very uncommon.
“I want to reassure everyone that these instances are being handled as confined situations with no further harm to the public,” I said.
“There will be a sizable police presence in the area over the next several days, and we’ll be working with our allies to assist the neighbourhood.”
As our inquiry moves further, I want to express my gratitude to everyone for their cooperation.
Earlier on Wednesday, Ross, Skye, and Lochaber SNP MP Ian Blackford reported receiving word that “there is one death.”
This is terrible and unexpected news, particularly for a region like Skye and Lochalsh, he remarked.
“I have been told of the developments, and I am aware that a gun and knives were used.” One fatalities and three injuries, I’ve been informed.
“Firearm laws are in place for a purpose, and this occurrence has to be reviewed to see if any lessons can be drawn from it.
‘I want to pay homage to the emergency services, particularly the police and Scottish Ambulance Service, as well as the local authorities,’ Mr. Blackford, a resident of Skye, said.
One of the darkest days in Skye and Lochalsh history, according to Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch, was the result of the news.
The family and friends of those who have lost a loved one should be in everyone’s thoughts and prayers right now, she added, adding that she cannot even begin to understand what they are going through.
“West Highland communities are close-knit, welcoming, and friendly; this will rock us to our very core.”
We feel as if our own hearts have been torn apart. I never imagined we would experience such a terrible day, and I’m sure many others did too.
This horrific incident will affect every house in West Highland.
On Wednesday morning, a dozen police vehicles, including armed response units and the force helicopter, were sent to the location.
According to reports from the neighbourhood, the suspect is suspected of using a knife and a gun in a number of attacks.
A local reported at the time of the incident: “Sleat was stabbed, and Dornie was fired at.” On the way to the hospital is the victim.
“This comes from a Dornie local.” I don’t know whether the criminal has been apprehended yet.
Police characterised the incident as “contained” after the suspect was taken into custody.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman stated this afternoon: “On Wednesday, August 10, just before 9 a.m., we were informed of a lady who had been hurt at a property in the Tarskavaig region of Skye.
Additionally, police are responding to two unrelated incidents in Teangue on Skye and Dornie.
A guy, 39, has been detained in relation to the occurrences. We now think that the issue is under control and that there is no danger to the larger community.
The head of the Broadford and Strath Community Council, Hamish Fraser, expressed his amazement at the occurrence taking place on our island and in one of our close-knit communities.
Our initial sympathies go out to those who have been directly impacted by this horrible catastrophe as well as the larger communities who will have to deal with it for the foreseeable future.
Bill Lobban, convener of Highland Council, said, “We are grateful to our emergency services colleagues for ending this extremely severe and distressing situation.
“We will help the local community and our partners in whatever manner we can.
“These occurrences will shock and sadden the communities of Skye and Dornie, and our sympathies are with the affected parties,” the statement reads.
Additionally, the Highlands and Islands region’s MSP and leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Douglas Ross, said: “My heart goes out to all those touched by these dreadful, connected tragedies on Skye and in the Lochalsh area.”
“I’d want to commend the quick action and courage of our emergency personnel who were able to stop the situation from becoming worse. As always, we owe them money.
“We will help the local community and our partners in whatever manner we can.
“These occurrences will shock and sadden the communities of Skye and Dornie, and our sympathies are with the affected parties,” the statement reads.
The Fairy Pools and The Old Man of Storr are two examples of the natural attractions that draw 500,000 tourists to Skye each year.
The well-known bridge that spans the island separates Dornie from Skye.