Teen dies after friend mistakenly fires air rifle at house party

Connor Bell, 17, died after a friend unintentionally fired an air rifle during a drunken gathering at Joshua Brown's house in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The group had exceeded the number of guests their parents expected and were consuming vodka, cider and beer. Jack Beechy, also 18, said he believed the rifle was unloaded and mistakenly pulled the trigger while trying to engage the safety, sending a pellet through Bell's right eye socket and causing a fatal brain injury.

Bell was taken to Southampton General Hospital, where he died on November 10. The Winchester coroner, Jason Pegg, concluded the death was accidental, highlighting the lack of proper handling skills and the risky environment created by the alcohol-fueled party. The inquest also noted that Joshua Brown had been shown how to operate the rifle by his father, Martin Brown, and had instructed his friends on its use.