The grandad of an 11-year-old girl who was shot dead while playing on a swing in her garden has said she "didn't stand a chance".
Solaine Thornton and her sister Celeste, eight, were in the garden during a barbecue at their home in the village of Saint-Herbot, near Quimper, Brittany, when an elderly neighbour allegedly opened fire at them. Celeste was left in "shock", local media reported, while her father Adrian, 52, was left fighting for his life on Monday after being "hit in the head" during the alleged attack.
Dutch neighbour Dirk Raats is facing murder charges. Speaking today, Solaine's grandfather Irvin Thornton told of his sorrow for the family, saying he was unsure how Celeste would ever get over what happened, MirrorOnline reports.
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She is reported to have run away screaming "my sister is dead, my sister is dead" in the moments after the attack as the gunfire then turned on her parents.
Describing the family's reaction to the tragedy, the grandad told MailOnline: "We don't know exactly what has gone on. We didn't know anything about a dispute. How can a 71-year-old man shoot a little girl?
"There might have been dispute over land but you do not do that. She didn't stand a chance"
An official at Plonévez-du-Faou, which is the local town hall for the family’s village, confirmed that Adrian and Rachael were born in Oldham and that Solaine and Celeste were born in France.
Guillo Régine, an administrative assistant at the town hall, said: “Mr and Mrs Thornton were born in Oldham in Great Britain. They have been living with us for about five years and were already living in France before their arrival. The children were born in France."
An investigation for the murder of a child under 15 and two attempted murders continued on Monday. The UK Foreign Office said it was aware of the shooting and is offering consulate assistance.
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