Family in shock after Briton shot in US bar

A British father shot dead in a US bar was just "in the wrong place, at the wrong time", his family said tonight.

Tom Reeve, 28, from Maidenhead, Berkshire, had only stopped in Amarillo while travelling through the US "because he liked the song" by Tony Christie, relatives said.

A statement issued from the family's home said: "Tom was a much loved son, brother and father who will be missed by the whole family and very many friends."

Teetotal Mr Reeve, who had been on a road-trip from San Francisco to Florida with two friends, died of a wound to the torso after a masked gunman walked in to the Spotted Pony bar on Thursday night (US time).

Speaking of their shock in a statement, relatives said: "Tom had lived all his life in Maidenhead, had played in a boys football team from age 7 to 17 and latterly played in a bowling league. Although he worked for many years in the licensed trade he was, in fact, teetotal.

"He was on a holiday with two of his friends, driving from San Francisco to Florida and had chosen Amarillo as a stopping place because he liked the song! He was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

"He loved life, was always happy and optimistic about the future. He was generous, kind and always saw the best in every one he met. He adored his 9 month old daughter, Tabitha, and was a devoted father.

"The whole family are in shock and will be issuing no further statements at this time."