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Kent Police confirm officer visited Cobham home of Gad's Hill pupil Charlie Booth hours before gun death

Gad's Hill School pupil Charlie Booth died after allegedly shooting himself with his father's gun in Cobham
Gad's Hill School pupil Charlie Booth died after allegedly shooting himself with his father's gun in Cobham

Police had visited the home of teenager Charlie Booth just hours before he apparently shot himself with his father's gun, it has emerged today.

Public schoolboy Charlie Booth, 16, was found dead at his home in the village of Cobham on Friday night.

Kent Police today confirmed an officer had visited the family home earlier in the day to talk about an "incident".

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."

The case has now been "routinely" referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, he added.

The gun is believed to be licensed and Kent Police say they not making any inquiries into the ownership of the weapon.

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."

Tragic 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 released today, 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
Charlie Booth aged five with his father Nicholas enjoying the coconut shy at the Museum of Kent Life in June 2002

Charlie Booth aged five with his father Nicholas enjoying the coconut shy at the Museum of Kent Life in June 2002

It 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."

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.

The case has now been handed to the coroner and an inquest is due to open soon.

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

Gad's Hill School in Higham
Gad's Hill School in Higham

Charlie Booth attended private Gad's Hill School in Higham

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.

Gad's Hill headmaster David Craggs led tributes to Charlie, whose death left the school "united in grief".

David Craggs
David Craggs

Mr Craggs (pictured right) said: "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.

"Charlie was a friendly, enthusiastic, mature and self-confident student with so much to live for - attributes that make this tragedy even more difficult to comprehend.

"He will be greatly missed. His loss leaves his family, our school and the wider Gad's community in mourning and struggling to make sense of what has unfolded."

Charlie and his friends sat a maths exam last week and he was preparing for his GCSE exams in the summer.

Friends paid tribute to Charlie on Twitter, describing him as a "great friend" who will "never be forgotten".

Did you know Charlie Booth? Leave your tributes below.

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