A 71-year-old man who was born in Antwerp fatally shot an 11-year-old girl and injured her parents in the French region of Brittany on Sunday night. According to local residents, he had been at odds with the family for years.
The tragedy occurred on Sunday evening in Plovénez-du-Faou, in the Finistère department. The man, born in Antwerp but with Dutch nationality, shot through the hedge onto his neighbours, killing the 11-year-old daughter and severely injuring the father.
The mother was hit in the back and head, but her life is reportedly not in danger. Both parents are in hospital, the British public broadcaster reports. The 8-year-old sister was able to escape but is said to be in shock.
At the time, the 11-year-old was playing on the swing set in the family's garden with her younger sister while the parents were at the barbecue.
According to the public prosecutor, the shooter was born in Antwerp but had Dutch nationality and lived there with his 69-year-old wife. The couple were known as les Belges in the area.
The conflict had arisen three years ago, after the British family moved to the area, according to locals. The Antwerp-born man had been at odds with his neighbours over a piece of land adjacent to both their plots.
The British father had reportedly cleared the land of vegetation using a chainsaw, which caused a noise nuisance to the older neighbours. The work meant that the old couple's house, until then hidden behind trees, would become visible from the public road.
