Police have confirmed a gun used in the Skye tragedy was registered to the shooter.
John MacKinnon was shot dead at his home in Sasaig, in the Teangue area, early yesterday morning.
It is understood the 47-year-old was trying to save others when he died.
Shortly before the shooting, Mr MacKinnon’s 32-year-old sister-in-law Rowena Macdonald was stabbed at her home in Tarskavaig. She was airlifted to hospital in Glasgow.
About an hour after the Teangue incident, 63-year-old osteopath John Don MacKenzie was shot at his home in Dornie 50 miles away. He is seriously ill at Raigmore Hospital. His wife, Fay, 63, who was also injured has since been discharged from Broadford Hospital.
Today, area commander Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett confirmed that the gun used was licensed, and registered to the shooter.
More than 50 officers involved in investigation
Stressing there was no wider threat to the public, Ch Supt Trickett said it quickly became clear the incidents were linked.
A taser was used by police during the drama. A 39-year-old man is in police custody.
A 50-strong taskforce, led by the major investigation Team and involving officers from Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow, are part of the “complex and challenging” investigation.
Ch Supt Trickett said: “The thoughts of myself and colleagues across Police Scotland are very much with the family and friends of John MacKinnon and the three people who remain injured.
“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.
Considerable police presence
“The policing response was significant, as people would expect, and involved officers from across Scotland, including Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow. officers were drafted in from all these places to support our divisional officers policing the community of Skye.
“Local officers who live and work in these communities brought these incidents to as swift and professional close as they possibly could and I thank and commend them for their actions.”
The area commander also paid tribute to the Scottish Ambulance Service for their “outstanding efforts” in response to a “distressing series of events”.
He added: “Given the size of the investigation and the fact we are dealing with a number of different places, a considerable police presence will remain for the near future.”
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