A 26-year-old British man has died after being shot multiple times in the United States, with police confirming a murder investigation has been launched.
Jaime Thomas Stephen Lomas, originally from Manchester, was gunned down on August 22, police in the US have confirmed. The King County Sheriff's Office in Washington state has since declared his death a homicide, with major crimes detectives assigned to the case. No arrests have been made so far.
Police response and investigation
A representative from the sheriff's office said: "On August 22, at about 12:20pm, King County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a domestic disturbance that had occurred at a residence located on the 23000 block of 156 Ave SE."
Deputies arrived and secured the scene. No arrests at this time and this remains an active investigation by our major crimes detectives.
As per the Daily Express, the Foreign Office back on British soil confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the man's family during such a challenging time, as well as liaising with local authorities as the homicide investigation progresses abroad.
Family tribute and fundraising
Lomas' heartbroken family have posted a tribute to their departed son online and are fervently working towards bringing Jamie's body home, so they can bid him a proper farewell.
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we are asking for your help to bring our Jamie home from America to Manchester," the statement reads, shared via a GoFundMe account to help cover costs to bring Jamie home.
"Jamie was only 26 years old. He was a loving family man, deeply loved by everyone who knew him. He had so much life ahead of him, and we just cannot believe that we are having to say goodbye to him."
The online statement added: "Jamie was tragically murdered in America, and our family has been left completely heartbroken, struggling to come to terms with such a devastating sudden loss. We never imagined we would be in a position where we would have to ask for help like this, especially so soon after [losing] grandad."
The statement adds that all his grieving family can focus on is seeing Jamie brought home "where he belongs so that we can lay him to rest and give him the goodbye he deserves, surrounded by his family and loved ones".
