Boy, 8, shot dead on farm, ‘dreamed of meeting Lionel Messi’ | British News

The heartbroken parents of an eight-year-old child fatally shot on a farm have paid tribute to their “perfect little boy”.

Jay Cartmell died in hospital after the incident, which occurred on farmland in Warcop, Cumbria, last Saturday afternoon.

A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and has since been released on bail.

The tragedy happened at the farm, which is just off the busy A66 and is not far from the village of Warcop, which has been described as “very, very rural” and has just under 500 residents.

Jay’s parents, Leigha and James Cartmell, paid tribute to their son today, saying: “We are heartbroken at the death of our perfect little boy.”

“Loving, kind and full of mischief, he was the best boy anyone could ask for and the third corner of our beautiful family triangle.”

“Jay loved being outside. The muddier he got, the better, and he began to follow in his father’s footsteps, whose passion was speedway in Workington, where he first competed when he was a year old.

“He always went into the pits to give a fist bump to his heroes, local racers Harry and Sam McGurk.”

“Jay was a talented rider in his own right and showed real potential for the sport.”

“Jay was a defender for Whitehaven Miners Football Club. Occasionally he scored a goal, even if it was an own goal, but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm.

“His favorite player was Erling Haaland and he had the dream of moving to Brazil and meeting Lionel Messi.”

“Jay enjoyed fishing and rabbit hunting with his father and helping care for the family pets – four lurchers, five ferrets and his own bearded dragon, Spike, who he got after graduating from high school.”

“He loved school and had a talent for math.”

“Jay was deeply loved not only by us but by everyone who met him. He had amazing 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.”

Mr and Mrs Cartmell also thanked the emergency services and doctors who helped care for their son.

The couple also thanked a number of locals, including Jay’s football team, for their donations.

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