The Tragic Shooting of an 11-Year-Old Girl in France: What We Know So Far
On June 12, 2023, an 11-year-old girl was shot dead in the garden of her family’s home in the town of Saint-Herbot near the Brittany city of Quimper in France. This tragic incident occurred when the family was spending an evening outside, enjoying the warm weather. The shooter has been identified as a 71-year-old Dutch retiree who was the family’s neighbor. The girl’s father was seriously injured in the attack, and her mother also suffered injuries, although these were not life-threatening. The shooter’s wife has also been taken into custody in connection with the crime. This article provides a summary of the events leading up to the shooting and explores some of the possible motives behind it.
A Long-Standing Dispute Over a Hedge
According to reports, the shooter had been involved in a long-standing dispute with the victims over a hedge that separated their properties. While it’s not entirely clear what sparked this conflict, some sources suggest that it began when the Thornton family cut down some trees that were bothering them. The dispute had been going on for several years and even involved legal action at one point. However, it’s unclear whether this legal dispute had been resolved or was ongoing.
The Fatal Shooting
On the evening of the shooting, the Thornton family was having a barbecue in their garden, and both their daughters, aged 11 and 8, were playing outside. At some point, the shooter appeared, armed with a firearm, and fired several shots in the direction of the family, hitting the two girls and their parents. The 11-year-old girl, Solenne Thornton, died at the scene, while her father was left in critical condition and her mother suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The 8-year-old girl managed to escape unharmed and raised the alarm.
The Shooter’s Arrest
After the shooting, the shooter and his wife retreated back to their home. Law enforcement authorities were promptly called to the scene, and the Intervention Group of the National Gendarmerie’s tactical unit was dispatched. A negotiator managed to convince the shooter and his wife to surrender, and they were subsequently taken into custody by the police. While the shooter has been arrested on suspicion of killing Solenne Thornton, his motive for the crime remains unclear.
Community Reactions
The shooting has understandably caused shock and outrage in the local community, with many expressing their sympathy for the Thornton family. The mayor of Plonévez-du-Faou, Marguerite Bleuzen, a nearby town, spoke of her disbelief at the tragic events, saying: “It is incomprehensible that he shot a child. No one can understand how it could have happened.” Meanwhile, Régine Guillot, the secretary of the Plonévez-du-Faou town hall, described the Thornton family as “not a family that has caused problems” and said that the community was in a state of shock.
Additional Piece:
What Can We Learn from the Shooting of Solenne Thornton?
The shooting of Solenne Thornton was a tragedy that has left her family and community in mourning. It’s a stark reminder that even seemingly trivial conflicts can escalate into violence if not resolved peacefully. While we may never know the full details of the dispute between the Thornton family and their neighbor, we can draw some broader lessons from this tragic event.
The Importance of Conflict Resolution
One of the most important lessons that can be taken from the shooting is the importance of conflict resolution. In any relationship, whether it’s between neighbors, co-workers, family members, or friends, there will inevitably be disagreements and conflicts. It’s essential to find ways to resolve these conflicts in a peaceful and respectful manner. Doing so not only prevents the situation from escalating but also strengthens the relationship by building trust and mutual respect.
The Role of Community in Preventing Violence
The shooting also highlights the crucial role that communities can play in preventing violence. In this case, it’s unclear whether anyone in the community was aware of the long-standing dispute between the Thornton family and their neighbor or whether there were any attempts to mediate or de-escalate the situation. However, even in cases where community members aren’t directly involved in a conflict, they can still help to prevent violence by fostering a culture of peace and conflict resolution.
The Importance of Seeking Support
Finally, the shooting is a reminder of the importance of seeking support in times of crisis. The Thornton family will undoubtedly need considerable support as they navigate the aftermath of this tragedy. However, support is crucial in a broader sense as well. If you’re involved in a conflict or find yourself struggling with a difficult situation, it’s essential to seek help from trusted friends, family, or professionals. Doing so can help you to process your emotions, gain new perspectives, and find constructive ways to move forward.
In summary, the shooting of Solenne Thornton is a tragic event that has left her family and community devastated. While we may never fully understand the motivations behind the shooter’s actions, we can draw some broader lessons from the incident. By prioritizing conflict resolution, community engagement, and seeking support during difficult times, we can all take steps to prevent future tragedies.
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The girl’s father was seriously injured and her mother less injured in the attack, while her eight-year-old sister managed to escape unharmed and raised the alarm.
Monday 12 June 2023 15:33 UK
An 11-year-old girl from a British family who was shot dead in the garden of her home in France has been named as Solenne Thornton.
The girl died while playing outside her home in Saint-Herbot, a town near the Brittany city of Quimper, around 10pm local time on Saturday.
The family was enjoying the warm evening when a Dutch neighbor allegedly shot them several times, the local prosecutor said.
City officials said there had been trouble between neighbors over “a hedge” and that the town was “in shock”.
“Initial evidence suggests that the victims’ neighbor, a 71-year-old Dutch retiree, appeared suddenly armed with a firearm and fired several shots in the direction of the victims… before retiring to his home with his wife.” said the Quimper prosecutor. the office said in a statement.
According to local television channel France 3, the girl’s father, Adrian Thornton, is in critical condition, while her mother has injuries that are not life-threatening. Both parents are reportedly in their 40s.
The victim’s mother and sister were named as Rachel and Celeste Thornton.
The girl’s sister – who is eight years old – managed to escape unharmed and raised the alarm, but is in a state of shock.
The family is believed to have lived on the property for four or five years, and both girls were born in France.
The suspect has been arrested on suspicion of killing the girl, according to local prosecutors. His wife is also reportedly in custody.
Local media reported that the family was having a barbecue at the time of the attack.
Yannick, a local resident, told the regional newspaper Le Telegramme de Brest: “We heard the banging and thought it was children playing with punches. Then the boy ran into a neighbor’s house saying: ‘My sister is dead, my sister she’s dead”. dead’.”
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The Intervention Group of the National Gendarmerie’s tactical unit was called to the scene and a negotiator convinced the neighbor and his wife to turn themselves in before being arrested, said Carine Halley, state prosecutor in Quimper.
He added that the attacker’s motive is not yet known, but it appears the two groups of neighbors had been involved in a long-standing dispute over land adjoining their properties for several years.
A neighbor said the dispute with the retiree began when “they cut down all the trees that bothered them.”
A neighbor told La Telegramme that he had earlier seen the whole family under the oak tree at the bottom of his garden.
“The two little girls were playing…the parents were sitting on their usual bench and having a barbecue,” he said.
The mayor of Plonévez-du-Faou, Marguerite Bleuzen, said: “We knew the family well. There is a festival in the village every year and they always come.”
“They are not a family that has caused problems. Maybe there was a dispute with the neighbor, I don’t know that.
“But it is incomprehensible that he shot a child. No one can understand how it could have happened.”
Regine Guillot, secretary of the Plonevez-du-Faou town hall, said the family had lived in the village for five years, adding: “There were neighborhood problems, yes, a hedge, a field, but nothing more than that, not that we were aware
“The people are in a state of shock.”
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 local authorities.”
https://news.sky.com/story/amp/girl-11-shot-dead-and-her-british-father-seriously-injured-in-france-reports-12900688
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