British scientist Matthew Willson killed by stray bullet shot through wall in US

An English astrophysicist was killed by a stray bullet that travelled through a wall and hit him in his bed, according to US authorities.

Dr Matthew Willson, 31, from Chertsey, Surrey, was found with a single gunshot wound to the head when police were called to an apartment complex in Brookhaven, Atlanta, at about 2am last Sunday.

Sergeant Jake Kissel, from the Brookhaven Police Department, said that while the shooting was believed to have been a random act, the death is being treated as a homicide.

There have been no arrests so far.

Sgt Kissel said the stray bullet that hit Dr Willson travelled less than 100 yards and entered through an exterior wall of the apartment.

Dr Willson was in the US visiting his girlfriend Katherine Shepard, according to reports.

“The two apartment complexes where the gunfire took place and where Matthew was staying, they’re separated by a patch of woods, so they back up to each other,” the office said.

“We’re saying it’s the reckless discharge of firearms from one apartment complex and the stray bullet travelled through the woods and entered his apartment.”

He said investigators are following up on all leads, adding: “We’re receiving tips from the public and our investigator team has been working around the clock to ensure that we’re tracking down the individuals that are responsible.”

The officer believes the incident is “the first of its kind” in the area.

“It’s the first of its kind in my knowledge to the city of Brookhaven where an innocent bystander is struck and killed by a stray bullet,” he said.

“For me and my 15-year law enforcement career, this is the first time that I’ve ever dealt with this type of situation.

“It’s definitely something that’s alarming. It’s a tragic event. It’s very shocking to hear and try and piece together how it actually happened.

“It’s something that’s been… it’s a very tall task.”

Sgt Kissel said: “Our investigation team is treating it as a homicide, even though we believe that it was a random act and complete reckless discharging of firearms, we’re still approaching it as a homicide.

“I think that’s the best way for us to approach it because that’s what we’re used to and we’re capable of tracking down and viewing the evidence and making sure that we’re getting all of those steps and the puzzle pieces put back together, so we are approaching it as a homicide until the evidence dictates something different.”

Dr Wilson’s sister, Kate, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “It’s impossible to comprehend how it is even true.”

Police had been called out to the area over reports of gunshots when they received another call that a person had been shot.