7-year-old victim struggles for life following double shooting in Northiam

Reports claim that her estranged father turned up at the house and shot at the schoolgirl before shooting himself dead in Spring Hill, Northiam.

Neighbours said that they had not seen the man since the family moved to the house a year ago but that he had been involved in a custody battle over the daughter.

The girl, who has not been named, was rushed to King’s College Hospital in London, in a ‘life-threatening condition’ after being shot in the head.

Chief Superintendent Neil Honnor, Sussex Police’s divisional commander for East Sussex, said: “We are treating this as a tragic domestic incident and do not believe that anyone else is involved.

“We are treating this as an isolated incident and there is no evidence that any other members of the public are at risk.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting Operation Oakfield, email [email protected] or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.