Wodonga Catholic College student Ryan De Angelis, 16, died in a Melbourne hospital about 10.15pm on Monday, after being struck in the head by a bullet from a friend’s rifle about 6.45pm at Merriang.

The Wodonga pair had been rabbit hunting on a private property.

Police have described the shooting as a tragic accident.

The shocked school community, including members of the De Angelis family, prayed for the family and provided comfort and support for each other.

Earlier, family, friends and Wodonga Football Club teammates gathered at the club to remember Ryan.

Ryan’s sister, Brooke De Angelis, 19, said her sibling was her “best buddy”.

“He was probably the best kid I’ve ever known, not just because he was my brother,” she said.

“He was a funny, silly guy. He always had this big, cheesy grin.

“He was always wanting to have fun.

“He was my best buddy.”

Miss De Angelis, who moved from Wodonga to the Mornington Peninsula after finishing high school, said Ryan had planned to undertake a carpentry apprenticeship.

The passionate AFL fan, who barracked for Richmond, had been a member of Wodonga Bulldogs since he first pulled on the boots in the under-13s and played above his age level this year in the Bulldogs’ thirds.

“He told me once he wanted to play for the AFL. His whole world revolved around his footy club; he was truly well-known here,” Miss De Angelis said.

Among those gathered at the club was Sebastian Monka, who had known Ryan since they were both students at St Monica’s Primary School.

“He was the best mate,” Sebastian, 16, said.

“He’d back you up in anything, no matter what it was.

“We just love him. That’s it.”

Ryan and Brooke’s parents are Gus De Angelis, of Wodonga, and Petra De Angelis, of Tumbarumba.

Wodonga Junior Football Club president Chris Jackson said Ryan had shown maturity and great potential as an athlete and would be sorely missed.

“It’s absolutely tragic,” he said.

“You can’t find the words to say about something like that.

“It’s hard enough to lose a child, it’s hard enough to lose a mate, and it’s even harder to say goodbye to someone like that.”

Mr Jackson said grief counselling would be made available to club members in the wake of the tragedy.

Catholic College principal Angela Killingsworth said the college community was shocked and deeply saddened following the accidental death of the popular year 10 student.

“The De Angelis family and

Ryan’s friends are in the thoughts and prayers of our community,” she said.

“He was a happy, outgoing and fun-loving young man, popular with students and teachers across all year levels.”

Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.