Teen, 17, shot dead with air rifle at friends' gathering died in 'tragic accident', coroner rules
Connor Bell, whose friends' CPR after he was shot kept him alive long enough to become an organ donor and save others' lives.
Connor Bell, a sporty 17-year-old from Tadley with 'a large circle of friends', died in a 'tragic accident' when he was struck by an air rifle round at a house on Cowslad Drive in Chineham, Hampshire, a coroner ruled at his inquest in Winchester. Shot on Saturday 8 November 2025, he died two days later at Southampton General Hospital.
Coroner recorded accidental death on 14 October; the arrested teenager has since turned 18 and been released.
'This incident was a tragedy for all the families involved,' Connor's family said of the shooting.
Air rifles 'should only be used by people with the necessary skills and weapon-handling training', family warns.
