13 Year Old Boy Shot

31 January 2012, 12:18 | Updated: 31 January 2012, 12:25

The 13 year old son of a US Air Force Lieutenant's died after being shot at a house on the Northamptonshire/Oxfordshire border.

Police are describing what happened at Souldern on Sunday 29 January 2012 as a 'tragic accident'.

The 13 year old was shot in the head.  He died at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital on Monday 30 January with his family at his side.

His father is understood to be stationed at Northamptonshire's RAF Croughton airbase, just two miles away.

A spokesman from the US Air Force said "The 13-year-old son of an active duty US Air Force lieutenant colonel assigned to an academic exchange programme at Oxford University has passed away after a tragic accident.

"All possible support and comfort is being provided to the family. During these difficult times we respect the family's request for privacy.''

Thames Valley Police is investigating how the teenager died and said "The exact circumstances are yet unclear''. The force is not treating his death as suspicious.

A South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman said crews were called to Souldern just after 10am "following reports that a 13-year-old male had suffered head injuries with a shotgun."

A police spokeswoman said: "Thames Valley Police is continuing in its inquiries to help the family establish what has happened.

"It is believed there is no third-party involvement and so no one is being sought in relation to the incident.''

The teenager's death has been referred to the coroner for Oxfordshire.