A 35-year-old man has died following a suspected shooting in Armadale, West Lothian, with police also investigating a car fire reported nearby.
Emergency services, including dozens of police officers, were called to a property on Harestanes Road shortly before midday on Saturday, 12 September 2026, following reports that a man had been injured. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and his next of kin have been informed.
Firearm inquiry and car fire
Detectives have said a line of inquiry is that a firearm may have been involved in the incident. Meanwhile, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received a report of a vehicle set ablaze on Northrigg, a rural road leading to a nearby farm behind the scheme. The fire was extinguished, and there were no reports of injuries.
Police said enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of both incidents. Officers are keeping an open mind but are investigating them as linked, reported the Daily Record.
Police presence and appeal
Forensic officers and detectives could be seen at one property on Harestanes Road, with nearby Brown Street also taped off, examining the area and taking photographs as part of their investigation this evening. Evidence appears to have been bagged up by forensic officers, while a heavy emergency service presence remains in the area. An air ambulance was deployed from Glasgow and spotted on FlightRadar24 travelling to Armadale before returning to the city.
Detective Superintendent Michelle Findlay, of the Major Investigations Team, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died in this incident. Officers remain in the area and anyone with concerns or any information can approach them or call us on 101, quoting incident number 1361 of Saturday, 12 September, 2026.”
The statement from the police read: "Around 11.50am on Saturday, 12 September, Police Scotland received a report of a man injured at an address on Harestanes Road in Armadale. Emergency services attended and the 35-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin is aware. Enquiries are at an early stage and a post-mortem will take place in due course. However, a line of enquiry is that a firearm may have been involved in the incident."
"Around 12pm on Saturday, 12 September, officers received a report of a car on fire nearby in the Netherhouses area, near to Armadale. The fire was put out by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services and there were no reports of injuries. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of both incidents. Officers are keeping an open mind but they are being investigated as linked."
