A 17-year-old boy, Connor Bell, tragically died after being accidentally shot in the head with an air rifle by his friend, Jack Beechy, during a house party in Basingstoke, Hampshire, on 8 November last year. The inquest revealed that Beechy, aged 18, mistakenly pulled the trigger while attempting to engage the safety catch on the weapon.
Incident Details
The boys were reportedly shooting the air rifle from a conservatory into the garden, targeting items such as bottles. Beechy accidentally discharged the weapon while it was pointed towards Bell's head. Following the incident, Connor was rushed to Southampton General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later due to a severe brain injury.
The inquest, held at Winchester Coroner’s Court, was informed that the air rifle was stored in a cupboard under the stairs at the home of Connor's friend, Joshua Brown, who is now 18.
Tributes and Evidence
During the inquest, Connor's father, Robert Bell, paid tribute to his son, describing him as "cheeky and mischievous but so kind and caring." He shared that Connor had a passion for sports, particularly football, and was pursuing a sports course at college. Robert noted that Connor had a work placement at a local leisure center and was expected to return after obtaining his certificate.
