USAF son shooting 'tragic accident'

Police are not treating the gunshot wound death of a teenager in Bicester as suspicious
12 April 2012

The death of the 13-year-old son of a US Air Force lieutenant colonel from gunshot wounds has been described as a "tragic accident" as police launched an investigation into the incident.

The 13-year-old boy was shot in the head at a house in Souldern, near Bicester, Oxfordshire, on Sunday morning.

He died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on Monday with his family by his side. His father is understood to be stationed at the US Air Force base in nearby RAF Croughton.

A spokesman from the US Air Force said: "The 13-year-old son of an active duty US Air Force lieutenant colonel assigned to an academic exchange programme at Oxford University has passed away after a tragic accident.

"All possible support and comfort is being provided to the family. During these difficult times we respect the family's request for privacy."

Thames Valley Police is investigating how the teenager died and said: "The exact circumstances are yet unclear."

The force is not treating his death as suspicious.

A South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman said crews were called to Souldern just after 10am "following reports that a 13-year-old male had suffered head injuries with a shotgun".

A police spokeswoman said: "Thames Valley Police is continuing in its inquiries to help the family establish what has happened. It is believed there is no third-party involvement and so no one is being sought in relation to the incident."

The teenager's death has been referred to the coroner for Oxfordshire.

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