The Stray

An English astrophysicist was killed by A Stray bullet that travelled through a wall and hit him in his bed, US authorities have said.

Dr Matthew Willson, 31, from Chertsey, Surrey, was found with a single gunshot wound to The Head .

Police were called to an apartment in Brookhaven, Atlanta, at 02:00 local time (07:00 GMT) last Sunday.

Sgt Jake Kissel, from the Brookhaven Police Department, said The Shooting was believed to have been a random act.

There have been no arrests So Far .

Sgt Kissel said The Stray bullet that hit Dr Willson travelled less than 100 yards (91m) and entered through an exterior wall of The Apartment .

" 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, " He 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 were 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. "

Sgt Kissel said an innocent bystander being struck by A Stray bullet was The First incident " of its kind" in Brookhaven and was an " alarming" and " tragic event".

He added: " Even though we believe that it was a random act and complete reckless discharging of firearms, we're still approaching it as a homicide. "

Dr Willson was taken to a local trauma centre but died of his injuries.

He was reportedly in the US visiting his girlfriend Katherine Shepard.

The Foreign Office said it was " supporting The Family of a British man following his death".