A father-of-six killed in a shooting on Skye was trying to save others, it has emerged.
John MacKinnon died at his home in Sasaig, in the Teangue area, after being shot, just half an hour after a woman – believed to be his sister-in-law – was stabbed in nearby Tarskavaig.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but the 47-year-old could not be saved.
From local accounts it is believed Mr MacKinnon was trying to save others by preventing his attacker from getting hold of the gun.
He has been described by his friends as a “wonderful and kind man, who would do anything for anyone.”
‘One of the kindest men’
Mr MacKinnon, who worked at a local distillery and castle, and was the brother-in-law of the Rowena MacDonald, who was stabbed in Tarskavaig.
She has been airlifted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
One school friend said: “John was one of the kindest men.
“He loved a laugh and he lit up a room and made everyone feel special.”
A neighbour told the P&J Mr MacKinnon always had time for a chat.
“No one can believe what has happened here on Skye today,” she said. “We will miss him.”
Second shooting happened an hour away
After the incident in Teangue, the gunman drove to Dornie, in Kyle of Lochalsh, about an hour away.
Two people – named locally as osteopath John Don Mackenzie and his wife Fay, a mental health nurse – were injured in a second shooting.
Mr Mackenzie was taken to Raigmore Hospital with serious injuries, while his wife was taken to Broadford Hospital in Skye.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with all three incidents, which police are treating as linked.
Ambulance and helicopter crews were dispatched to the three incidents, with officers warning there will be significant police presence at the locations in the next few days.
A murder investigation has been launched and inquiries are ongoing.
The property in Tarskavaig, where the first incident unfolded at about 9am, and the scene at Dornie, were both sealed off with police tape yesterday as officers examined the scene.
Forensic teams dressed in white suits, masks and boots were seen taking evidence from the scene of the incidents and the surrounding areas.
A police spokesman said: “A 47-year-old man has died and three others injured after a series of incidents on Skye and in Wester Ross during the morning of Wednesday, August 10.
“Police were initially called to the Tarskavaig area on Skye shortly before 9am after a report of a 32-year-old woman having been seriously injured at a property.
“She has since been taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment.
“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 the 47-year-old man 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.
“A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with all of the incidents, which are being treated as linked.
“He was also taken to Raigmore Hospital.”
‘Extremely rare’ type of incidents
Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett, local policing commander for Highlands and Islands Division, assured the community that the incidents were contained and there was no wider threat to the public.
“Incidents such as this are thankfully extremely rare but I understand that this will have a significant effect on the local community in these rural areas.
“I would like to reassure people that we are treating these incidents as contained with no wider threat to the public.
“There will a significant police presence in the area over the coming days and we will be working with partners to provide support to the local community. I would like to thank people for their co-operation as our investigation progresses.
“Anyone who believes they may have any information which could help our enquiries is asked to call 101, quoting reference 0713 of August 10.”
MSP Kate Forbes described today as the worst day she had ever known on Skye.
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