Ten-year-old Tate Ethan Buening was killed on August 6, 2021, in Harvest, Alabama, when his father, 37-year-old Brian Buening, shot him and then died by suicide. Tate’s mother, Kayla Tate White, had been engaged in a custody dispute with her ex-husband and reportedly warned officials about Brian Buening’s dangerous behavior and volatile nature prior to the deaths.

On the day of the incident Kayla requested a welfare check at Brian’s home, expressing concern about his mental stability. Before law enforcement entered the residence, officers found Tate dead from a gunshot and Brian Buening had taken his own life; the Madison County Sheriff’s Office described the scene as horrific.

In the months since, Tate’s mother filed a lawsuit against Brian Buening’s estate and has pushed for changes in how custody disputes and welfare checks are handled in cases involving known mental health concerns. The community held prayer vigils and remembered Tate.

If anyone knew Tate or has information about the events leading up to August 6, 2021, please come forward.