Teenager dies after friend accidentally shoots him with air rifle

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 14:21 · Archive

Connor Bell, 17, died after being accidentally shot with an air rifle by a drunk friend at a house party in Hampshire.

Connor Bell, 17, died after being accidentally shot with an air rifle by a friend at a house party in Basingstoke, Hampshire, on 8 November 2025. Jack Beechy, who had been drinking beer, cider and vodka, mistook the trigger for the safety catch of the .177 calibre weapon. The pellet entered Connor's head through his right eye socket, causing an unsurvivable brain injury and cardiac arrest. He was taken to Southampton General Hospital and died two days later.

The inquest in Winchester heard that the party was at the home of Joshua Brown, now aged 18, who had agreed with his parents to invite only a couple of friends and to keep an air rifle, which the family had owned for three weeks, locked away in a cupboard. More friends than expected attended, and the group drank vodka, cider and beers instead of the box of 12 Peroni beers provided. Mr Brown took out the air rifle and used it to fire at targets in the garden from the conservatory.

Connor's father, Robert Bell, told the inquest that his son was "dearly loved", describing him as "cheeky" with a "caring and soft side". Connor enjoyed football and gym training and was training to become a personal trainer. Mr Beechy told the inquest he was "a little bit drunk" at the time of the shooting.

How it is being reported

• Boy, 17, accidentally shot dead with air rifle at Hampshire house party, inquest toldConnor Bell died of his injuries after his friend Jack Beechy, 18, pulled the trigger, mistaking it for the safety catch A 17-year-old died after he was accidentally shot in the head with an air rifle by his friend at a house party, an inquest has been told. Connor Bell had been drinking at a friend’s house in Basingstoke, Hampshire on 8 November last year when Jack Beechy fired the fatal shot by mistaking the trigger for the safety catch, the inquest heard. Continue reading...The Guardian · 14 Oct, 15:51
• Teenager accidentally shot dead by pal with air rifle at drunken house partyConnor Bell had been drinking with friends in Basingstoke, Hampshire, when Jack Beechy fired the fatal shot by mistaking the trigger for the safety catchThe Mirror · 14 Oct, 14:03
• 'Dearly loved' teen died after being accidentally shot by drunk friend at house partyConnor Bell suffered an ‘unsurvivable’ brain injuryThe Independent · 14 Oct, 13:51

In this story: Connor Bell · Jack Beechy · Joshua Brown · Hampshire · Southampton General Hospital · Winchester

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