'Our beautiful boy': Family pay tribute to Cobham teenager who shot himself (From News Shopper)

'Our beautiful boy': Family pay tribute to Cobham teenager who shot himself

11:57am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Sam Christie

THE parents of a Cobham teenager who died after shooting himself with his father's gun have paid tribute to their “one in a million" son.

Sixteen-year-old Charlie Booth, who attended £10,000-a-year Gad’s Hill School in Higham, was found dead at his country home in Watling Street at 10.30pm on Friday.

A family tribute read: “As a son he was a very loving boy that had a very supportive family, not just his parents, but his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

“He thought the world of them and we all thought the world of him.

“He was just a typical country boy that enjoyed school life, loved outdoor pursuits and he fully embraced the country lifestyle.

“Charlie was one in a million, very popular and well-liked, and was quite simply our beautiful boy.”

The keen sportsman who played for Gravesend RFC was a keen member of the Cadet force and also represented the school at cross-country, rugby and hockey.

Charlie leaves behind parents Nick, 52, Julia, 48, and 12-year-old sister, Harriet.

He had helped raise thousand of pounds through fundraising events with family and friends to help fund a school trip to Alaska in July, which he was really looking forward to.

Police called to country home hours before Charlie died

Kent Police say an officer had been in contact with the family about "an incident" hours before Charlie died.

A spokesman said there was no ongoing criminal or pending investigation and the issue was resolved at a meeting.

The matter was "routinely" referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission who say an investigation has been carried out and returned to Kent Police.

An IPCC spokesman said: “There’s nothing to link the tragic outcome with police handling.”