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Police confirm 'targeted attack' after man named in suspected shooting

News imageFacebook William Watson looking straight at the camera. He is sitting in an armchair. He is smiling with his teeth on show. He has long dark hair over his forehead and a short, dark beard. He has tatoos on either side of his neck and appears to be wearing a grey t-shirt.Facebook
William Watson, known as Billy, died in the targeted attack in Armadale

A man killed in a suspected shooting at a house in West Lothian has been named locally as 35-year-old William Watson.

Police Scotland confirmed that the incident on Saturday in Harestanes Road, Armadale, was a targeted attack. It is investigating if a firearm was used.

Watson, known as Billy, died at the scene. The area remained cordoned off on Monday with officers posted outside the property.

Police are also investigating whether a nearby car fire in Netherhouses and a fire at a derelict house on Wotherspoon Road on Saturday are linked to the incident.

Uniformed officers were seen in the Netherhouses area where the car was set ablaze. A cordon was also put in place on Wotherspoon Road.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said nobody was injured in the fires.

News imageTwo police officers outside a house in Armadale, West Lothian, with a police van parked in the foreground of the image.
Police remained outside the house on Harestanes Road on Monday

Police Scotland said Watson's death was being treated as suspicious and a postmortem examination would take place.

Supt Jocelyn Thomson said: "I understand people will be concerned about these incidents and a significant police presence remains in the area.

"However, this has been a targeted attack, and a team of experienced officers is working on the case.

"I have every confidence that they will find out who has committed this crime. Additional patrols will be in the area."

News imageA burnt out derelict home in Armadale, West Lothian.
Officers are also looking into the fire at a derelict home on Wotherspoon Road

Kirsteen Sullivan, MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow, said the attack was "horrific and alarming".

"I want to extend my thoughts to local people who have been affected," she said.

"Police Scotland have advised that there is no immediate danger to the wider community and that this appears to have been an isolated incident.

"I would urge people to follow the advice of the police and not to speculate, particularly on social media, while the investigation is ongoing."

BBC Scotland understands that Police Scotland is not linking the incidents to Operation Portaledge - its investigation into gang violence across central Scotland.

Det Sup Michelle Findlay, of the major investigations team, said: "Extensive enquiries remain ongoing as we work to establish the full circumstances of what has happened.

"This includes door-to-door enquiries in the local area as well as a detailed review of all available CCTV footage."

She said officers would remain in the area and anyone with information should contact Police Scotland.