Brittany: Girl from British family shot dead in France named

Solaine Thornton, an 11-year-old British girl, was tragically shot and killed while playing on a swing in her family’s garden in the village of Saint-Herbot, north of Quimper in Brittany, France. The incident occurred during a barbecue that the family was hosting on a Saturday evening. Solaine’s parents, Adrian and Rachel Thornton, were also injured in the shooting and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Adrian Thornton sustained serious injuries as reported by local media.

The mayor of the commune where the family resided, Marguerite Bleuzen, identified the family. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated that they are offering support and assistance to the affected British family.

According to reports, Solaine and her eight-year-old sister were playing on a swing while their parents were tending to the barbecue. It was during this time that a neighbor, described as a 71-year-old Dutch national, began shooting at them with a shotgun through a hedge. The younger sister, in a state of shock, ran to a neighbor’s house to seek help and raise the alarm, shouting that her sister was dead.

The suspect barricaded himself in his house following the incident, but he eventually surrendered to the police and was arrested along with his wife. Local residents mentioned that the man had a reclusive nature and was involved in a dispute with the British family regarding a piece of land adjacent to their properties.

The motive behind the shooting is still unclear, and Prosecutor Carine Halley stated that the circumstances surrounding the incident are currently being investigated. The mayor and other local residents expressed shock and disbelief over the tragic event, emphasizing that the family was well-known and regularly participated in village events.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed that they are in contact with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the British family affected by the shooting.

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