A LITTLE British girl that was shot dead in France by a reclusive neighbour has left the country shocked.
Solaine Thorton was just 11-years-old when the tragedy struck at the weekend, which begged the question as to why she was targeted in the attack.
Detectives work at the scene of the fatal shooting of the schoolgirl[/caption]
Who was Solaine Thornton?
Solaine Thorton was a British 11-year-old schoolgirl.
She lived with her family at their home in Brittany, France.
It is understood the Brit family had lived in the village for around four years and were well-liked.
What happened to Solaine Thornton?
Solaine was shot dead by a reclusive neighbour on Saturday, June 10.
She was playing on a swingset with her sister during a family barbecue when the attack happened.
Her parents were reportedly sitting nearby on a bench at the time.
The 71-year-old Dutchman opened fire with a 22. calibre hunting rife.
Solaine was reportedly shot in the heart, while her sister Celeste, eight, miraculously escaped unharmed and ran for help in the hamlet Saint-Herbot.
Yannick Valory, who lives nearby, held back tears as he described the horrific scene as Celeste came running screaming for the family garden, reports LeTelegramme.
“We were watching TV around 9 p.m. with my wife. We heard the sound of firecrackers. It surprised me, so I walked out,” said Yannick.
“I saw the youngest of the girls opposite come running and rush to my neighbors, whom she knows better.
“She was screaming that her sister was dead and took refuge with them.”
“I crossed to access their garden. There was no shooter. But I saw the prone body of her big sister. I couldn’t do anything for her, she was dead.”
The shooter was arrested after at first barricading himself inside his house, which is understood to overlook the Thornton’s back garden at their home.
It is alleged there had been a row between the neighbours for the last three years over a plot of land next to the two homes.
What happened to Solaine Thornton’s parents?
Solaine’s parents Adrian, 52, and Rachel, 49, were also shot during the horrifying ordeal.
The adults were rushed to La Cavale Blanche hospital in Brest where they are being treated.
Adrian is in a critical condition and is fighting for his life after reportedly being shot in the head.
Rachel also suffered serious injuries after she was reportedly shot twice in the head and back.
Source: Who was France shooting victim Solaine Thornton and what happened to her?
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