Gunman ‘not aiming’ at schoolgirl from British family, prosecutor says

Solaine Thornton and her sister Celeste were playing on the garden swings when the 71-year-old Dutchman opened fire at them.

State prosecutor Carine Halley said the child was dead when police arrived (Alamy/PA)

An 11-year-old British girl was “not the target” of a fatal gunshot which killed her outside her home in France, officials have said.

Solaine Thornton and her sister Celeste, eight, were playing on garden swings during a barbecue in Saint-Herbot, near Quimper, Brittany, when a 71-year-old Dutch neighbour opened fire at them, according to the BBC.

He had been in a “conflict” with the family over a plot of land beside their properties for “several years”, state prosecutor Carine Halley said.

She added Solaine’s father Adrian, who is about 40, was badly hurt when police arrived, while the younger girl was “safe and sound but in a state of shock”.

The victim and her parents, Adrian and Rachel Thornton, were named by mayor of Plonevez-du-Faou, Marguerite Bleuzen.

Mrs Thornton was also hurt, but her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, public prosecutor Camille Miansoni said it did not appear that the Dutch neighbour had been aiming at the girl when he fired the shot.

He said: “It would seem that he was not aiming at the little girl.”

A police spokeswoman said they were aware of a conciliation process between the families that began in 2019.

Translated by the BBC, she said: “It is true that we were warned in 2019 of the conciliation process with regard to the dispute between these two neighbours – but subsequently we haven’t had any kind of follow-up, and neither has there been any kind of criminal offence committed since.”

Mr Miansoni added: “In response to the question about mediation, we know about that.

“The couple was charged or was asked to get involved in a mediation process by the Mayor’s office.

“All that must be, of course, clarified and verified.

“Certainly, the couple in question was less involved in the case.

“Obviously, if you have mediation everyone involved has to play their part. The mediation process had been started but the other family was not particularly keen to participate.”

Mr Miansoni also explained that the man arrested had been assessed by a doctor.

He said: “He has agreed to all his rights, he’s been seen by a doctor, for example, and there is no evidence to suggest that he is unhinged psychologically.”

Ms Halley said the child’s father was taken to hospital in a critical condition and initial evidence suggests “the suspect suddenly emerged armed with a gun and fired several times towards the victims”.

We are providing consular assistance to a British family following a shooting in France and are in contact with the local authorities

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

He then “retreated” to his house where he barricaded himself in with his wife, the prosecutor said.

The Intervention Group of the National Gendarmerie tactical unit was called to the scene, and a negotiator persuaded the couple to give themselves up. They were then arrested.

An investigating source said test results showed he was under the influence of drugs at the time, according to the Evening Standard.

Solaine’s grandfather, Irvin Thornton, reportedly told the Sun newspaper “she didn’t stand a chance”.

He said his son, Adrian, is in a coma.

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are providing consular assistance to a British family following a shooting in France and are in contact with the local authorities.”