Boy, 8, shot and killed while hunting rabbits was 'perfect' say heartbroken parents

Jay Cartmell, aged eight, was shot while hunting for rabbits in Cumbria and tragically died later in hospital with his parents now paying tribute to their "perfect little boy"

The parents of young Jay Cartmell have paid tribute to their “perfect little boy” after he was shot dead in a firearms incident.

Jay, 8, sustained serious head injuries after being shot on on land near the A66, north of Warcop, Cumbria at about 2.50pm on September 28.

Police and paramedics attended the scene, and he was airlifted to hospital, where he later died from injuries to his head and face. A man in his 60s who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault, and later held on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, was later released on bail.

Jay lived in Frizington, more than 50 miles west, near the Cumbrian coast. In a statement released yesterday by Cumbria Police, his parents Leigha and James Cartmell described Jay as “loving, kind and full of mischief”. They said: “We are heartbroken at the passing of our perfect little boy - Jay Cartmell, 8 years.

“He was loving, kind and full of mischief, the best boy that anyone could wish for and the third corner of our beautiful family ‘triangle’. Jay loved being outdoors, the muddier he could get the better and was starting to follow in the footsteps of his Dad with his obsession for Speedway at Workington, where he first attended aged 1 years.

“He always went to the Pit to fist bump his heroes, local racers Harry and Sam McGurk. Jay was a talented rider himself and was showing real promise for the sport. Jay was a defender at Whitehaven Miners Football Club. He would occasionally score a goal, albeit an own goal, but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm.

“His favourite player was Erling Haaland and he had a dream to move to Brazil and to meet Lionel Messi. Jay enjoyed fishing and rabbiting with his Dad and helped care for the family pets:- 4 lurchers, 5 ferrets and his own bearded dragon, Spike, which he received following a school achievement. He loved school and had a talent for maths.

“Jay was extremely loved, not only by us, but by all who met him. “He had fantastic friends and always had a smile on his face. We will miss him every day, but his love surrounds us and his memory will never fade. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all who have looked after Jay:- The Air Ambulance Service; PICU, Ward 12 RVI and the Snowdrop Suite at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

“Also special thanks to the Workington Speedway Supporters Club for their amazing donations; JD Autos and Fellview Surgery for their ongoing support; the Workington Comets, especially Andrew Bain, for a special gift which we will treasure forever and to Whitehaven Miners for all that they have done and continue to do in Jay’s honour.”

A Cumbria police spokesman said at the time of the shooting that the firearm "was secured at the scene". Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances and encouraged anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the moments leading up to it to come forward.