Young boy shot in head 'was hunting for rabbits' on Warcop farm

Cops say a man in his 60s has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter following the incident involving the eight-year-old.

A tragic boy who was shot to death on farmland in Warcop was allegedly hunting rabbits, according to reports.

Cops were called to reports a child had been seriously injured by a firearm by Wheatsheaf Farm at around 2.50pm on Saturday, September 28. Emergency services rushed the boy to hospital, where he sadly died overnight. He suffered from serious injuries to his face and head, reports the Mirror.

Police in Cumbria confirmed they arrested a man in his 60s close to the scene of the tragedy. They said he remains in custody on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. A spokesperson for the force said: "Police are investigating following the death of an eight-year-old boy.

"Emergency services were called at around 2.50pm yesterday (28 Sept) to a farm in the Warcop area following a report that a child had been seriously injured by a firearm at the property. Police and NWAS attended.

"The firearm was secured at the scene by police and an eight-year-old boy was taken to hospital by air ambulance having suffered serious and life-threatening injuries to his head and face. Sadly, the boy has died overnight.

"Officers arrested a man in his 60s at the scene on suspicion of assault GBH. He remains in police custody but is now under arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter."

Local residents have been left devastated, with some stating they live in a "close-knit community". It comes after a man, who owns the land where the incident happened, said he was "deeply upset" by the shooting.

He earlier told The Sun: "I had to witness what happened. It’s deeply upsetting. My mother is in her 80s and ill.”

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