Shot Briton 'liked Amarillo song'

Mr Reeve, pictured with his baby daughter, died in hospital

The parents of a British tourist shot dead in a bar in the US city of Amarillo have said he was "just in the wrong place, at the wrong time".

Thomas Reeve, 28, had only stopped in the Texas town "because he liked the song" by Tony Christie, (Is This The Way To) Amarillo, his family said.

Police have charged a man with capital murder after the shooting on Thursday.

Mr Reeve, of Maidenhead, Berkshire, was on a road trip with friends. He leaves behind a nine-month-old daughter.

Reports have named the man who has been charged as Ray Carlos Cisneros, 25.

US police said Mr Reeve had arrived in Amarillo just hours before the shooting and was sitting in the Spotted Pony Bar when a masked man entered and opened fire.

The Briton was hit in the torso and died shortly afterwards in hospital.

'Devoted father'

In a statement his family said: "Tom was a much loved son, brother and father who will be missed by the whole family and very many friends.

"He was on a holiday with two of his friends, driving from San Francisco to Florida, and had chosen Amarillo as a stopping place because he liked the song.

"He was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

"He loved life, was always happy and optimistic about the future. He was generous, kind and always saw the best in every one he met.

"He adored his nine-month-old daughter, Tabitha, and was a devoted father."

Officers said the gunman shot a second man, a 48-year-old, in the hand and forced a female customer to remove some of her clothing during the incident.

He also attacked other customers in the bar, hitting them either with his fist or handgun, and stole purses, wallets and money from the cash register.

Adam Cox, a reporter at KGNC Radio Amarillo, told the BBC there was "a lot of shock" in the town at what had happened.

"It really is a heartbreaking story, you hate to hear that. When we saw it was a UK national who had just got into Amarillo that day it made our hearts sink," he said.