Memorial service for Charlie Booth, 16, at Gad's Hill School in Higham after gun death in Cobham
Friends of tragic schoolboy Charlie Booth have
been paying tribute to him today at a memorial service.
The 16-year-old died after apparently
shooting himself with his father's gun at the family home in
Cobham.
A celebration of his life has been held for fellow pupils at
Gad's Hill School in Higham today.
Police had visited Charlie's home to talk about an
"incident" just hours before he was found dead last Friday
night.
Kent Police today confirmed the Independent Police
Complaints Commission, which was looking into the handling of the
case, has passed the investigation back to the force.
A spokesman refused to explain why officers had been involved,
but said there was "no ongoing criminal or pending investigation
and the matter was resolved at the meeting".
In the days before his death, Charlie tweeted about his volatile
moods and said he got caught up in arguments.
One message at 6.49pm on March 7, the day before he died, said:
"Swear I get in s*** moods for no reason at the moment! Need to
sort myself out."
Charlie (pictured above right) lived with his father Nicholas,
52, marketing assistant mother Julia, 48, and 12-year-old sister
Harriet in a large country home.
In a tribute, his family described him as a "one-in-a-million
son".
Charlie Booth aged five
with his father Nicholas enjoying the coconut shy at the Museum of
Kent Life in June 2002
They said: "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."
Officers discovered the body of Charlie, who was a member of the
cadet force at Gad's Hill School in Higham, at his home in Watling
Street, Cobham, at 10.30pm on Friday. He was pronounced dead at the
scene.
Police confirmed Charlie's death was not being investigated as
suspicious, but would not say if his death was being treated as an
accident or suicide.
Charlie was a keen member of the Gad's Hill Combined Cadet
Force, which trains pupils in a range of military activities
including shooting, survival training, rock climbing and taking
part in assault courses.
He also represented the school at cross-country, rugby and
hockey and previously played for Gravesend Rugby Football Club and
had a keen interest in cricket.
Charlie helped raise several thousand pounds through a number of
events with family and friends to help fund a school trip to Alaska
in July.
15/03/13
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