Family of Briton killed in Thai New Year's Eve party 'completely devastated' Stephen Ashton (centre) was enjoying New Year's Eve celebration with friends in Koh Phangan when he was hit by a stray bullet. The family of Stephen Ashton, who was shot dead at a New Year's Eve party in Thailand, say they are "completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives." Ashton, 22, from Purley, south London, was caught in crossfire between rival gangs and is believed to have been killed by a stray bullet as he danced with friends at a beach bar in Koh Phangan. Kittakarn Kramomthong, chief of police on the island, said officers had arrested a 26-year-old Thai man and confiscated a gun. The man is expected to be charged with manslaughter, he added. It was reported that Ashton's family were heading to Koh Phangan to formally identify his body and make arrangements for his repatriation. The British ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent, is expected to visit the scene on Thursday. Thai police said Ashton was with a group of friends and 300 other tourists celebrating the countdown to 2013 at the Zoom Bar when he was shot with a homemade gun at Haad Rin beach, shortly after 4am on Tuesday. In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Ashton's family said: "As a family we are completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives. He has been taken away from us in such cruel and tragic circumstances in which he was an innocent bystander simply enjoying new year celebrations. He will be truly missed by his family but also by the many friends he made during his life. We cannot comprehend how someone can carry out such a reckless act, giving such little value to human life. We ask that our privacy be respected to allow us to grieve.