HANDGUN USED IN FATAL KILLING
PRESS BRIEFING AT NAIRN POLICE OFFICE 1030H TAKEN BY DETECTIVE CHIEF INSPECTOR PETER MCPHEE
The investigation into the murder in Nairn of 30-year-old father of two Alistair Wilson continues today.
Officers will continue house to house inquiries into the shooting which happened at around 7.15pm on Sunday 28 November 2004.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter MacPhee, the officer in charge of the investigation, confirmed today that he believes the weapon used to kill Mr Wilson may have been a handgun, possibly a small automatic .
Enquiries continue today in conjunction with the ballistics section at Strathclyde Police and with the assistance of Grampian Police Forensic Laboratory.
DCI MacPhee said: "We suspect a handgun may have been used in this incident.
"The significance of this to the inquiry is that a handgun is obviously easier to conceal than a rifle or similarly large firearm.
"This means that potential witnesses may not have seen someone approaching with a weapon. Because of that we would ask anyone who may have been in the area and saw anyone to contact us as soon as possible."
DCI MacPhee also thanked the people of Nairn for their understanding and forebearance and hopes searches may be concluded today and cordons lifted allowing people to go about their daily business.
There will be an extended search of the beach area, including the shoreline today and detectives will continue to interview witnesses. We will continue to carry out background searches into the deceased to try and establish a motive. What we will do in these circumstances in take his life apart piece by piece and look and his business in depth.""
Area Commander for Badenoch, Strathspey and Nairn, Chief Inspector Andy Walker, said: "We are happy with the way things are progressing. This has the potential to be a lengthy inquiry despite what happens.
"The support from the public has been excellent. I understand some people may have concerns but again we would like to reiterate that this is a very rare type of incident in this area.
"We have a very strong Police presence in the town and firearms capability should we require it."
There are no further details at this stage.