Three charged over targeted fatal shooting in Armadale

Three men have now been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Billy Watson in Armadale, West Lothian, as police continue to appeal for information about four other individuals and two vehicles seen near the scene. Watson, 35, died at a property on Harestanes Road around 11:50 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026. A postmortem examination confirmed he suffered fatal injuries consistent with being shot by a firearm. Police Scotland are treating the incident as a targeted murder. A 57-year-old man, Frank McCarthy, was the first to be charged. He appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court on Friday, September 18, facing charges of murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. He made no plea and was remanded in custody, with a further court appearance scheduled within eight days. Two additional men, aged 29 and 44, were arrested and subsequently charged in connection with Watson's death. They are due to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court on Monday, September 21. Detectives are continuing to seek information about four men seen in the area at the time of the shooting.