Tragedy struck as an 11-year-old British girl was fatally shot while playing on swings in the garden of her family’s residence in a village in western France on Saturday.
In the village of Saint-Herbot in Brittany, a tragic incident unfolded as an 11-year-old British girl was shot and killed while playing on swings in her family’s garden. The girl’s father, aged 52, was also shot in the head and is in critical condition, while her mother, aged 49, sustained gunshot wounds to the back and head but is reportedly out of danger. Fortunately, the girl’s eight-year-old sister managed to escape unharmed by seeking refuge in a neighboring property and raising the alarm.
The authorities have taken a 71-year-old Dutch man, who resided in the same village, into custody in connection with the shootings. His wife is also being questioned. Reports suggest that there had been a longstanding conflict between the British family and their neighbors over a piece of land adjoining their properties.
The public prosecutor, Carine Halley, stated that the motives behind the tragedy are still unknown but emphasized the ongoing conflict between the neighbors. An investigation for the murder of a minor and attempted murder has been launched.
This heartbreaking incident occurred just days after a separate incident in eastern France where a three-year-old British girl and others were stabbed in a park. In both cases, conflicts between neighbors appear to be a contributing factor.
The local mayor expressed shock and incomprehension over the shooting, while witnesses recounted the sudden and devastating nature of the event. The community, previously familiar with the family, struggled to comprehend the tragedy and the loss of a young life.
