NICOLA Sturgeon has said the communities affected by the incidents on and around Skye will be feeling a sense of “devastation”.
John MacKinnon, aged 47, died following a series of incidents on the Isle of Skye and in the Dornie area of Wester Ross on Wednesday.
Three people were taken to hospital following the incidents, some of which involved a gun.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with all of the incidents.
READ MORE: Police Scotland give update on 'complex' probe into Highlands shooting incidents
The First Minister was asked about the incidents as she visited a church group in Forfar, Angus, on Thursday.
She said: “My thoughts are with those most directly affected by what has been a horrific incident on Skye.
“I want to convey that strength of feeling to those individuals and families who will have been devastated by what has happened.
Police at the scene of an incident at a property in the Teangue area on the Isle of Skye
“Obviously, the kind of incidents that happened yesterday would have been horrific and devastating in any part of the country.
“But the kind of communities we’re talking about here are small, close-knit communities and that sense of devastation will be felt even more acutely.”
She added: “Everybody, I know, across Scotland will be thinking of the communities affected on Skye right now.”
READ MORE: Highland councillors and residents react to Skye and Wester Ross shooting incidents
Police confirmed on Thursday that the other people injured during the incidents were a 32-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man who remain in hospital.
Police said the woman, who was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, remains in a serious condition.
The 63-year-old man was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment to serious injuries and remains in a critical condition.
A 63-year-old woman was also taken to hospital and later discharged.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here