Tribute to schoolboy after shooting

An "outstanding" 16-year-old student who died after apparently shooting himself in a quiet village had a bright future ahead of him, his headmaster said.

Police were called to a property in Cobham, Kent, at 10.30pm on Friday but schoolboy Charlie Booth was pronounced dead at the scene in a suspected suicide.

News of the Year 11 pupil's death was broken to classmates at assembly at independent Gad's Hill School, based at the former home of Charles Dickens in Higham.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Police were called at 10.30pm on 8 March to a sudden death of a 16-year-old boy at a private address in Cobham.

"The death is being treated as non-suspicious but unexplained at this time."

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said two clinicians attended the property. He said: "We attended a patient in the Watling Street area but he was pronounced dead at the scene."

Tributes were paid to Charlie by Gad's Hill School.

Headmaster David Craggs described the youngster, who was regarded as a talented rugby and football player, as an "excellent ambassador for our school".

Mr Craggs added: "I am sure you will all react with shock and deep sadness at this news. Charlie was after all a remarkable young man, who had such a bright future ahead of him. Our first thoughts are for Charlie's family and I can say with confidence that they have the heartfelt support and condolences of the whole Gad's Hill community. It is at times like this - to quote recent comments by President Barack Obama - we will all hug our own children a little closer over the next few days."