Kirkcaldy shooting was not a random act say police

They have declined, however, to confirm how many occupants were in the house at the time but said no-one was injured.

One local resident told the Press: “My wife and I were in our bed watching the telly when it happened. Heard the noise the back of 10pm, looked out of the window shortly afterwards and saw nothing but I’ve heard since that other people saw somebody running away.

“It was really loud – I thought it was more than two shots personally but I couldn’t say for definite.”

Another resident commented: “I was sitting at my desk with the blinds drawn and I heard a noise which sounded like a motorbike back-firing or firecrackers going off and I thought it was youths messing about.

“I went straight outside, but I didn’t see a thing and it wasn’t until the next morning when I saw the police cars and tape around the house that I realised it had been a serious incident.”

Residents on the affluent and normally quiet street said they feel largely reassured.

Another said: “It was a bit scary something like this happening down here, but the police have been very good with regular patrols around the area.”

Meanwhile police have renewed their appeal for information.

Detective Inspector Colin Robson said: “We have established that a male was seen running off from the address following the sound of shots.

“We are looking into this sighting along with a report of a dark coloured van seen in the area prior to the incident and seen leaving after it.

“Officers have been in the area all weekend carrying out door-to-door inquiries and I would like to thank the local community for their continued assistance and patience.”

Inspector Graeme Neill added: “We would like to reassure the public that this type of incident is very rare and that this was not a random incident. In addition we are following positive lines of inquiry. Again I would like to thank the local community for their assistance and patience.”