Shot boy was 'mistaken for fox'

The shooting happened at Lower Cholwell Farm

Police in Devon say a 13-year-old boy who died after being shot during a hunting expedition in Devon may have been targeted in mistake for a fox.

The teenager was shot during a night-time "lamping" expedition on Saturday.

The youngster was among a party of at least three adults and three teenagers who went out hunting on land around Lower Cholwell Farm, near Harberton.

It is understood the victim was a friend of one of the landowner's sons, and lived in the village.

It is very sad for a boy of that age John Hockings, chairman Harberton parish council

The youngster was in a small party which was hunting by the "lamping" method - using lights to spot prey.

Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman Sgt Alan Mobbs said: "At the moment it is an unexpected death, and we are investigating the circumstances."

The boy suffered a single bullet wound in the incident, he said.

It is understood an adult member of the party fired the shot which hit the boy.

No one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Village 'shattered'

Other members of the shooting party tried to revive the teenager at the scene before the arrival of paramedics.

The Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter flew the youngster to hospital in Exeter where he later died.

A full forensic post-mortem examination will be carried out on Monday by a Home Office pathologist.

The local vicar, the Reverent Hugh Pollock, said the local community would be "shattered" by the news that the youngster had been shot.

The chairman of Harberton parish council, John Hockings, said: "People in the village are shocked by what has happened.

"It is very sad for a boy of that age."

Mr Hockings said "lamping" was the use of a strong light to transfix prey so it could be shot.

"You can understand just how careful you have to be. Obviously, there can be accidents."