The family of Stephen Ashton, who was shot dead at a New Year's Eve party in Thailand, said they are "completely devastated by the loss".
Mr Ashton, 22, from Purley, south London, was an innocent bystander simply enjoying New Year celebrations, they said. He was caught in the crossfire of a gun fight between rival gangs.
Mr Ashton is said to have been shot by a home-made gun at Haad Rin beach shortly after 4am on Tuesday as he danced with friends at a beach bar on the paradise island of Koh Phangan.
Kittakarn Kramomthong, chief of police at the island's station, said officers had arrested a 26-year-old Thai man and confiscated a gun.
The man is expected to be charged with manslaughter, he said.
Mr Ashton's family are travelling to Thailand to formally identify his body and make arrangements for his repatriation.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the family said: "As a family we are completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives.
"He has been taken away from us in such cruel and tragic circumstances in which he was an innocent bystander simply enjoying New Year celebrations."
Friends expressed their shock and paid tribute to him on social networking sites.
Aaron Kelly wrote on Facebook: "Horrible news. Be good up there mate."
Robbie-Cameron Gray took to Mr Ashton's Facebook page to express his grief and posted a photograph of the two of them as young boys. He said: "Don't want to believe it. Still got photos of us on my wall from football and school. Will miss you mate."
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