Villagers mourn hunt victim boy

The shooting happened at Lower Cholwell Farm

Residents of the Devon village of Harberton have spoken of their "shock" at the death of a 13-year-old boy shot during a hunting expedition.

The teenager is thought to have been mistaken for a fox in a night-time "lamping" expedition on Saturday.

The youngster was among a small party 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.

People just do not believe that something like that can happen around here Brenda Ganter

Villager Brenda Ganter, said: "You don't expect such tragedies when people go shooting because people know what they're doing when they're shooting.

"They are all aware of the risks and the dangers so they all take care."

She said there was a feeling of "sadness and devastation" in the village for the family of the victim.

"People just do not believe that something like that can happen around here.

"We enjoy peace and tranquillity and the only time that is disturbed is when the church bell rings.

"We don't have anything else. We don't want anything else."

Weapons seized

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."

The youngster was hunting by the "lamping" method - using lights to spot prey - when he was shot.

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.

Police have seized all the weapons involved in the incident. No-one has been arrested.

The victim's name will be revealed after an inquest is opened in the next few days.