Mother critical after girl shot dead

Dec 30 2009

A woman is fighting for her life after her former partner shot dead their four-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself, police said.

The shootings took place as the girl, named in reports as Maisie Copland, was dropped off at the former family home for an access visit on Monday morning.

Police believe the 56-year-old man, named in reports as Andrew Copland, shot his daughter and partner before killing himself at the house in Church Hill, Aldershot, Hampshire.

The girl's 40-year-old mother, who was named in reports as Julie Harrison, was taken by air ambulance to a central London hospital after being shot in the head.

Her condition was described as "serious and critical".

Officers were called to the terraced property when a neighbour dialled 999 to report a row shortly after 10am.

Speaking outside the house, Detective Inspector Darren Rawlings said they were met with a "very traumatic" scene.

He said officers attempted to resuscitate the girl but she was pronounced dead a short while later.

He said the couple split up around four weeks ago and investigators are not looking for anyone else.

Mr Rawlings said: "At this stage the evidence would suggest it was a domestic incident. The person in the house has discharged a firearm. We are not seeking anyone else at the moment."