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Tributes paid to boy, 5, killed by air rifle
26 Aug 2009The mother of a five-year-old boy who died after being shot by an air rifle described him as a "gorgeous, cheeky, beautiful, bright little bundle of joy".
Jonathan Cooke, known as Joe, is believed to have died after being shot while playing in the garden of a family friend.
His mother Emma, 43, said the death was a "tragic accident".
She said: "Joe was a gorgeous, cheeky, beautiful, bright little bundle of joy who lit up the room - our little Indiana Jones.
"He died in a tragic accident and we love him to infinity and beyond. His death will leave a huge hole in our lives. He will be missed by anyone who knew him, as he touched so many lives.
"We would now request privacy at this difficult time so we can remember our lovely little boy in peace."
Joe is understood to have been one of around five children at the large bungalow in the village of Fovant, Wiltshire on Monday afternoon.
He was in the extensive back garden at the home of Bernard Allnutt, in his 70s, and wife Pamela, at Moor Hill.
Joe is believed to have been a friend of their grandson and holidaying in the village.
The house is a large secluded bungalow-style home at the end of a tree-lined 100 metre driveway, and with a garden of several acres.
The Allnutts said last night that they would not comment on the incident.
Fovant and Chalke Valley councillor Jose Green said rumours that the boy was "running across the line of fire" when he was shot were "pure speculation".
Mrs Green, a Conservative, said: "It was a horrendous tragedy for the family. Fovant has never known anything like this, I would say.
"A helicopter came down to take the child to hospital and he was more or less dead when he arrived. It was a tragic accident."
Ms Green added: "I don't know if he was playing with the gun himself or what happened. Some of the children were holidaying there with their grandparents."
Joe was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol where he died later that day.
A police investigation is under way but Wiltshire Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
A spokesman for the county force said: "We can confirm that following a call at 12.15pm on Monday, officers attended a property in the Fovant area of Tisbury to reports that a young child had been injured with an air rifle.
"The child was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol but sadly died that afternoon.
"We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death but we are not treating it as suspicious at this time.
"We are now able to confirm that the young boy who died was Jonathan Cooke aged five years from Ealing in London. He had travelled with other family members to a family friend's house where this incident occurred.
"A report will be prepared for HM Coroner for Swindon and Wiltshire and we are offering support to the family who have our deepest sympathy.
"It is not appropriate to release any further information at this stage."
Reader views (1)
It looks like someone simply did not adhere to basic safety measures. Air rifles are strictly regulated in terms of their power at 12 ft lbs max power but like a slingshot or bow and arrow [both unregulated], it can be lethal under rare circumstances. Tragic and unecessary.
- James Macleod Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove, 26/08/2009 15:29
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