Boy, 8, shot in the head ‘while hunting rabbits’ named as cops issue plea

An eight-year-old boy who died after being shot in the head and face as he hunted for rabbits on rural farmland has been named as Jay Cartmell.

Jay, from the Lake District village of Frizington, suffered fatal injuries whilst on the farm in Warcop on Saturday afternoon.

He was airlifted to hospital but medics were unable to save him after he suffered a catastrophic brain injury.

A man aged in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of GBH assault before being re-arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

He was bailed on Sunday evening pending further investigation.

A Cumbria Police spokesperson said: “A man arrested following the death of an eight-year-old boy has been bailed whilst police continue with their investigations.

“As officers continue with their enquiries, they are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the moments leading up to it to come forward.”

Emergency services raced to a farm in the tiny village nestled beside the A66 on Saturday afternoon after the youngster was shot at 2.50pm.

The farmer who owns the land where the young boy was shot said that he was “deeply upset” having seen the shocking incident.

It is understood the boy was with the adult ‘rabbitting’ – with permission of the farmer – when he was struck by a bullet.

The farmer said: “I had to witness what happened. It’s deeply upsetting. My mother is in her 80s and ill.”

Warcop is home to less than 500 people, with two churches and a small primary school.