A major police incident has thrown a remote Scottish community into lockdown after one officer was shot and two heavily armed colleagues vanished during a routine welfare check, sparking fears of a potential abduction.
The terrifying chain of events began on Friday morning when the three officers responded to a call for a welfare check at a property in the Craig Dundearg area, near the village of Cannich in the Scottish Highlands. The situation rapidly escalated into violence.
One officer was shot and sustained serious injuries. He was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for emergency treatment, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
Alarmingly, the two other armed response officers who were with him have not been seen since and cannot be contacted. Police Scotland has confirmed they are treating their disappearance as "potentially a criminal act" and that they may have been abducted.
Massive Manhunt Underway in the Highlands
A massive land and air search operation is now focused on the remote and rugged terrain around Glen Affric. The area, popular with hikers and tourists, is now the centre of a major police presence.
Authorities have named the suspect as 39-year-old Richard Guthrie. He is believed to be in possession of a weapon and is considered extremely dangerous. The public has been warned not to approach him and to call 999 immediately if spotted.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs stated, "This is a significant and fast-moving investigation. Our priorities are to trace our two missing colleagues and to fully apprehend the suspect."
Community in Lockdown
Local residents have been told to stay indoors and lock their doors as armed police scour the area. Several roads have been closed, and the public is being urged to avoid the region entirely.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the normally peaceful community, with one local councillor describing the situation as "everyone's worst nightmare." The search, involving multiple emergency services, is expected to continue through the night.
