Man, 24, shot in the head with
an air rifle loses fight for life

Chris Humphreys was shot inside an address in Handsworth Grange Road, in Sheffield, last weekend.

The 24-year-old, from Handsworth, lost his six-day battle for life and died early on Saturday morning at the city’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

His family paid tribute to him describing him as a “fantastic son”.

“Today our Chris lost his brave fight for life,” they said in a statement released through police.

“He was a fantastic son and brother to all his family.

“He tried to hang on and recover but could not.

“The doctors and nurses at the neuro critical care ward at the Hallamshire were fantastic and gave him as much as they could.

“As a family, we would like to thank them all for the help and support they gave to our Chris.”

Relatives asked for privacy while they deal with their loss

Emergency services had been called to the house just after 10.20pm last Sunday to find Mr Humphreys with a life-threatening head injury.

Officers recovered an air rifle from the property and arrested two men at the scene.

Russell Fairchild, of Handsworth Grange Road, appeared before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court charged with wounding last week.

The 47-year-old was remanded into custody and will appear
at Sheffield Crown Court tomorrow.

A second man, aged 23, was released without charge.

Speaking shortly after the incident, South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Shaun Wright, said his sympathies were with the family.

He warned that air weapons were legal – but lethal.

“Even though air weapons are legally owned, this type of incident demonstrates they are dangerous and need to be treated with great respect.”.