The police mentioned the attacker examined optimistic for alcohol.

A girl in France screamed and cradled her dying daughter in her arms after their Dutch neighbour opened fireplace, as per the residents within the space who spoke to The Telegraph. Solaine Thornton was shot lifeless whereas taking part in within the backyard of her residence in France on Saturday. The incident came about at 10pm (native time) within the village of Saint-Herbot, close to Brittany in France, wherein the dad and mom of the 11-year-old had been shot too. While the lady’s father Adrian is in vital situation within the hospital, her mom is secure.

“Adrian was shouting as well – injured but conscious – but the mother understood it was too late for her daughter. There were no words, just screams,” Pierre Leroy, a household buddy, instructed The Telegraph.

Solaine’s youthful sister, eight-year-old Celeste, was the one one who was not shot and raised an alarm. She reached the home of Mr Leroy, screaming that her household has been “shot”.

When Mr Leroy reached the home of his neighbours, he noticed the mom “cradling” Solaine in her arms and “screaming”.

Dutch nationwide Dirk Raats has been charged with homicide. The spouse of the 71-year-old has been charged with trying to cover two weapons.

Prosecutor Camille Miansoni mentioned Raats and his spouse “blamed their British neighbours for work on the garden, and for repeated and increasingly unbearable noise pollution”.

She additionally mentioned that they examined optimistic for alcohol and hashish on the time of their arrest.

Raats instructed investigators that whereas he focused her dad and mom, he could not have supposed to kill the schoolgirl, in keeping with The Telegraph.

Other folks residing within the space mentioned Raats had beforehand threatened the household with a rifle, as per Independent.

“The two families were always arguing, and the rifle escalated matters, but nobody ever believed that he would use it,” mentioned a resident, who has not been named.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office mentioned they’re offering consular help to the British household and are in contact with native authorities, the outlet additional mentioned.