A man has appeared in court accused of the shotgun murder of his brother-in-law and attempting to murder his wife and another couple in Skye and Lochalsh.
Finlay MacDonald, 39, was arrested on Wednesday after a series of incidents spanning three different locations up to 34 miles apart.
MacDonald appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court this afternoon facing one murder charge and three attempted murder charges.
The 32-year-old was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in a serious condition.
Father-of-six John MacKinnon, 47 – the accused’s brother-in-law – was allegedly shot dead at his home at An Gleannan, Saasaig, Teangue.
Police said they received a report of a shooting shortly after 9.30am – around 30 minutes after the first incident.
It’s alleged that MacDonald repeatedly fired a shotgun at his sister’s husband, inflicting severe injuries to his body which led to his death.
Mr MacKinnon’s family paid tribute to the “much-loved” member of the community in a statement that was released on their behalf by Police Scotland.
It read: “John was a loving husband, father of six, brother, uncle and grandfather to his family, and was a much-loved member of the community.
“John loved the outdoors, was a keen motorcyclist and, as a loved father, shared his activities with his family.”
Around 10am, a couple living in the village of Dornie were injured in another alleged shooting.
MacDonald is accused of attempting to murder osteopath John Don Mackenzie by repeatedly shooting him to his severe injury and danger of life.
Mr Mackenzie’s wife Fay was also injured in the incident. MacDonald is accused of attempting to murder her, leaving her severely injured and permanently disfigured by shooting her on the head and body.
The pair, both aged 63, were taken to different hospitals for medical treatment.
Mr Mackenzie remains in a critical condition at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but his wife Fay, who was treated at Broadford Hospital on Skye, has already been discharged.
MacDonald appeared in sheriff court three at the Inverness Justice Centre before Sheriff Peter Grant-Hutchison.
He was represented by Inverness solicitor John MacColl, who said afterwards: “I can confirm there was no application for bail but it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment at this stage.”
MacDonald made no plea, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody.
He will appear again within the next eight days.
A taskforce of 50 officers from Police Scotland was deployed to investigate the circumstances of the tragedy.
During a press conference, Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett confirmed that a taser – an electroshock weapon used to incapacitate people – was used by police.
In the aftermath, local SNP MP Ian Blackford has called for a review of gun control.
Others have stressed better support and mental health facilities are needed for rural areas.
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