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”
Following the shooting death of their “perfect little boy,” Jay Cartmell’s parents have paid tribute to him.
When Jay, an 8-year-old boy, was shot on land near the A66 north of Warcop, Cumbria, around 2.50 p.m. on September 28, he suffered serious head injuries.
He was treated at the scene by police and emergency medical personnel before being flown to a hospital, where he passed away from head and face injuries. A man in his 60s who was initially taken into custody on suspicion of assault at the scene and later held on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter was later granted bail.
Jay lived in Frizington, 50 miles to the west, near the coast of Cumbria. His parents, Leigha and James Cartmell, described Jay as “loving, kind, and full of mischief” in a statement that was released yesterday by Cumbria Police. They stated: We are devastated by the loss of our perfect 8-year-old son, Jay Cartmell.
“He was the best boy that anyone could wish for, the third corner of our beautiful family’s “triangle.” He was loving, kind, and full of mischief. Jay was beginning to follow in his father’s footsteps by becoming obsessed with Speedway at Workington, where he first attended when he was just one year old. The mudder he could get, the better he liked being outside.
He would always go to the Pit to punch his heroes, local racers Harry and Sam McGurk. Jay had a lot of potential for the sport and was himself a talented rider. Jay was a Whitehaven Miners Football Club defender. Even if he scored an own goal every now and then, it didn’t dampen his enthusiasm.
Erling Haaland was his favorite player, and he always wanted to move to Brazil and meet Lionel Messi. Jay and his father enjoyed going fishing and rabbit hunting, and he also helped take care of the family’s pets, which included four lurchers, five ferrets, and Spike, a bearded dragon he got for doing well in school. He enjoyed school and excelled in math.
Jay was adored by everyone who met him, not just by us. He had wonderful friends and was always cheerful. We will miss him every day, but his love and memory will always be with us. We would like to thank everyone who has cared for Jay, including the Air Ambulance Service; Snowdrop Suite, PICU, and RVI in Ward 12 at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
“Also, a special thanks goes out to the Workington Speedway Supporters Club for the incredible donations they made; Fellview Surgery and JD Autos for their consistent assistance; the Workington Comets, particularly Andrew Bain, for a unique present that we will always treasure, and the Whitehaven Miners for everything they have done and continue to do in Jay’s honor.
At the time of the shooting, a spokesperson for the Cumbria Police Department stated that the firearm “was secured at the scene.” The circumstances are still under investigation, and anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the moments preceding it is encouraged to come forward.