A British schoolgirl has been shot dead and her father is in a critical condition following an argument at a barbecue in France.
Solenne Thornon, 11, was playing in her family garden in Saint-Herbot when a neighbour opened fire “several times” on Saturday night.
Solenne was in Brittany with her father Adrien, mother Rachel and eight-year-old sister Celeste.
Adrien and Rachel were wounded during the incident.
The Intervention Group of the National Gendarmerie tactical unit had been called to the scene
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The father is reportedly in a critical condition after suffering a head injury.
The mother sustained less serious injuries but was badly hurt.
Celeste raised the alarm following the incident, exclaiming: “My sister is dead, my sister is dead.”
The eight-year-old escaped unharmed and took refuge with a neighbour.
The 71-year-old was a neighbour of the Thornon family and he retired to the picturesque hamlet of Saint-Herbot around six-years-ago
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A 71-year-old Dutch man, who briefly locked himself in his home, is in custody and a murder investigation is now underway, a local prosecutor has said.
An investigating source revealed: “There was a dispute between neighbours, and a gun was produced.”
The insider continued: “They had been arguing for many years over a plot of land adjoining the two properties.”
He added: “Tensions clearly reached boiling point. The older girl was shot dead and her parents seriously wounded.
“The father suffered a head injury and is critical in hospital, while the mother is also very badly hurt.
“The youngest child is the only one who is unscathed, having managed to flee to another neighbour's house.”
The Intervention Group of the National Gendarmerie tactical unit had been called to the scene and a negotiator persuaded the Dutch neighbour and his wife to hand themselves over to the authorities.
The 71-year-old was a neighbour of the Thornon family and he retired to the picturesque hamlet of Saint-Herbot around six-years-ago.
The dispute reportedly started over a plot of land
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The Thornons lived in the property, which was converted from a sawmill close to the Catholic Church, for a number of years.
Prosecutor Carine Halley said on Sunday: “The reasons for this tragedy are not yet known.
“It would appear that a conflict has been opposing the two neighbours for several years over a plot of land adjoining the two properties.
“An investigation has been opened into the murder of a minor and three attempted murders.”
The Foreign Office said it was providing assistance to a British family following a shooting in France.